Prison Guard Reyna Lujan May Be Charged With Rape For Her Relationship With An Inmate
28 May 2009, 6:00 PM. By Alex Alvarez
Every day, there’s at least one story that pisses us off royally, although it’s usually something inane like Jennifer Lopez accidentally queefing out a diamond and then throwing it away. Today that story is about Reyna Lujan, a former prison guard at the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center in New Mexico. Lujan decided to pursue a physical relationship with inmate Eric Brayman. When her bosses at the detention center were tipped off about Lujan’s activities, she quit her job. Now, she stands the risk of being charged with rape, as FOX News is describing it, for her actions even though the relationship between her and this inmate - two sane if somewhat stupid adults - was consensual.
And here is where we get pissed: We’ve pointed out, time and time again, the inability of media outlets to report non-consensual sex as rape in cases where one of the people involved is, say, a minor or married to the assailant. And now, in a case where a Latina woman - a segment of the population often failed by the judicial system in the U.S. and abroad, especially where sex crimes are concerned - is involved in an innapropriate but consensual sexual relationship, FOX is chomping at the bit to call it “rape?”
Explains District Attorney spokesperson Pat Davis:
The sheriff’s office is recommending that she be charged with criminal sexual penetration in this case. It’s a second degree felony because it involves a person of authority — in this case, a correctional officer.
Over 300 recorded phone conversations between Brayman and Lujan include him referring to her as “my girl” and speaking to her romantically. From outside appearances (we’ll admit that may have been more going on behind the scenes), this hardly seems like a case of Lujan using her authority to force Brayman into having sex, especially given that she’s in the inenviable position of being a female guard working with male inmates. Sure, this is most definitely a case of someone abusing her power, but which of the two people involved stands ultimately to benefit most from this relationship? And what, exactly, is meant by coersion? Is every case of “criminal penetration” rape?
In any case, Lujan is currently pregnant by Brayman and the two are currently living together ever since Brayman was released.
Sigh. What do you guys think of this case? Are we justified in being pissed or does the charge fit the crime?
Pregnant Ex-Guard May Be Hit With Rape Charge After Sex With Inmate Boyfriend [FOX News]
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“Sure, this is most definitely a case of someone abusing her power, but which of the two people involved stands ultimately to benefit most from this relationship?”
Does it matter? A person abused their authority in order to get laid.
If this is not rape…please tell me what is.
“And what, exactly, is meant by coersion? Is every case of “criminal penetration” rape?”
See above.
At issue here is the power relationship. When you are in jail the guards have all the power (trust me I know whereof I speak). Under these circumstances it is not possible for the inmate to give meaningful consent. That makes it rape.
Think of a professor having a “consensual” sexual relationship with an adult student she will be grading. It’s a clear no go even if, in fact, both wanted the relationship. It is an abuse of power and they are not equal partners. And she should be charged with excessive stupidity, immaturity and impulsivity.
Absolutely. The scales are tipped in a power relationship (teacher, boss, prison guard, police officer) and the responsibility rests on the power holder. Switched the genders and you probably would have no problem seeing it.
You have to understand that she is a person of authority. I have worked in Law Enforcement for many years, as a correction officer as well ( I am a female). I til this day can not understand why any male or female officer would have a relationship with an inmate. When came across guards like that we’d call them “inmate lover” which in L/E is a total put down. But back the basics of this case, it is illegal plain and simple. Yes, he may have been willing, just as a 14 yoa girl could be just as willing to have consesual (sp) sex with a 20 yr old, but a minor is not in the eyes of the law at least in Texas ,to be of “sound mind” for lack of a better term, to make decisions as such on their on, other words the adult should just have know better. The inmate may have been ready and willing, but she should have recognized it was illegal and moved on, believe me, when you become a C/O, you are in classes that range from rights of an inmate to jail lingo. I can pretty much guarantee you that having relationships with inmates is a crime was covered in these classes. she should have just waited until he did his time and he was citizen again. She would have been labled an “inmate lover”, in the LE circles, but it would be her business and they couldn’t touch her. Just my $.02