A woman who said she was sexually assaulted turned to Facebook Live to tell her story, which resulted in the arrest of a man and two teen suspects, Cumberland County authorities said Monday.
The incident took place on Nov. 2 after the woman posted an “ad for companionship” online, according to a news release from the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office.
The victim was later contacted by one of the three suspects asking her for a date, officials said.
The woman went to a residence where she encountered the three men, deputies said.
“The suspects displayed handguns and demanded the victim’s money. After emptying her pockets, the victim was told to remove all of her clothes,” deputies said in the release. “The three suspects then made the victim perform sexual acts.”
Authorities said the victim “was not sure where else to turn” about a week after the incident, so she “told her story to Facebook Live.”
Detectives said they were able to corroborate the victim’s account and arrested the trio Sunday.
Meanwhile, authorities said that sex assault might not be an isolated incident.
“There may be other victims who not have reported being robbed and assaulted by these three suspects,” the news release said.
The following were arrested and face various charges, deputies said:
James Haywood III, 21, was charged with first-degree forcible rape, robbery with a dangerous weapon, first-degree kidnapping, and felony conspiracy.
Jason Tyquan Hammonds, 18, was charged with first-degree forcible rape, robbery with a dangerous weapon, first-degree kidnapping, felony conspiracy, first-degree forcible sex offense and possession of a firearm by a felon.
Brandon McKenzie, 17, was charged with first-degree forcible rape, robbery with a dangerous weapon, first-degree kidnapping, felony conspiracy and first-degree forcible sex offense.