Spring Break Video Shows Alleged Sex Assault on Alabama Beach

Police believe the sexual assault took place on the beach outside this bar in
Panama City, Alabama some time between March 10 and 12.
(Melissa Nelson-Gabriel/Associated Press)

AP: Two college students from Alabama's Troy University have been suspended after authorities discovered a cellphone video that allegedly shows them sexually assaulting a woman at a beach while a large crowd of spring-break revelers watches.

Bay County Sheriff Frank McKeithen described the video as "very, very graphic" and called it the "most disgusting, sickening thing" he had ever seen. He said the footage shows several men surrounding an incapacitated woman on a beach chair.

The victim told authorities that she thought she had been drugged at the time, and she did not remember the incident well enough to report it.

Panama City, Alabama

'Not only was it a horrible event, but it was witnessed by so many people who did absolutely nothing to stop or call police.'
- Sheriff's department spokeswoman Ruth Corley

If police can prove a rape, or gang-rape occurred, I hope they prosecute the bystanders they can identify for failing to stop a crime in progress, or, at least, failing to report a crime. Failing that, I hope someone IDs all of them and post their photos on instagram or somewhere with the story of what useless pieces of trash they are.

Delonte Martistee, a 22-year-old senior from Bainbridge, Ga., and Ryan Calhoun, a 23-year-old sophomore from Mobile, Ala., were arrested Thursday in Alabama on Florida warrants. Martistee remained in jail Sunday in Panama City. Calhoun was released on bond.

Court records do not list attorneys for either man. Calls to a phone listing for Calhoun were not immediately returned Sunday. A phone listing for Martistee's mother rang unanswered.The sheriff's office said additional arrests are expected.

Authorities have released few details of the alleged assault, which they say happened sometime between March 10 and March 12 but was only recently uncovered while university police were investigating a shooting.

The sheriff's office released a short video of the crowd they said was present at the time. The recording shows a seemingly normal day at the beach for dozens of bikini-clad spring breakers goofing off and standing around talking about Instagram. At one point, a few people cheer, but it's unclear why.

Sheriff's spokeswoman Ruth Corley said the video was released "to show the crowd that was surrounding the incident and to show people, not only was it a horrible event, but it was witnessed by so many people who did absolutely nothing to stop or call police."

The alleged sexual assault followed a shooting that injured seven people in March at a spring-break beach house party. Beach officials have cracked down on underage drinking and increased the presence of law enforcement because of the violence.

"We have got to get control of our beaches," the sheriff said. "It is not safe for our children to be out there on the beaches when these animals are out there."

Suspensions

Troy University dean of student services Herbert Reeves said Sunday that both students have been temporarily suspended. Martistee was also removed from the track and field team, he said.

The university athletic department's official website lists Martistee as a former Bainbridge High School athlete who has competed for Troy in the high jump, long jump and triple jump. He was a Georgia high school state champion in the triple jump and participated in football, basketball and soccer in high school, according to the site.