If you or someone you know needs resources or support related to sexual violence, contact the Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault’s 24/7 hotline at 800-871-7741.
Two men allegedly sexually assaulted five girls as young as 12 in Rumford.
Diego Ramirez, 29, of Rumford was indicted on four counts of gross sexual assault, one count of sexual abuse of a minor, two counts of unlawful sexual contact, one count of unlawful sexual contact, one count of aggravated unlawful furnishing of cannabis, one count of endangering the welfare of a child, one count of furnishing liquor to a minor, and one count of allowing a minor to possess or consume alcohol, according to the Rumford Police Department.
Nkialuzitu Mayingi, 31, of Gorham was indicted on five counts of gross sexual assault, four counts of unlawful sexual contact, one count of aggravated unlawful furnishing of cannabis, one count of endangering the welfare of a child and one count of furnishing liquor to a minor.
The investigation into Ramirez and Mayingi began on Aug. 3 after police learned about an alleged sexual assault at Swainbrook Apartments on Spruce Street. That investigation revealed at least five girls, ranging in age from 12 to 14, had been sexually assaulted, according to police.
The girls met a man whom they didn’t know in Rumford and followed him to a unit at Swainbrook Apartments, where they were joined by a second man, whom they also didn’t know, police said.
While there, the men allegedly plied the girls with alcohol and cannabis before sexually assaulting them.
Ramirez and Mayingi were arrested and taken to the Oxford County Jail in South Paris.
“Protecting children from sexual abuse and assault is among our highest responsibilities, and we take that responsibility very seriously,” Rumford Police Chief Tony Milligan said in a Thursday statement.