Nageezi man charged in rape at Farmington motel

FARMINGTON — A 40-year-old Nageezi man was charged Monday with criminal sexual penetration, a third-degree felony, on allegations he raped a woman at a local motel.

Farmington police were dispatched after midnight Saturday to the Rimrock Lodge to investigate a 911 call, according to the arrest warrant affidavit.

The caller screamed and told a dispatcher she was locked in a bathroom at the motel, the affidavit states.

Police contacted Ernie Largo and the alleged victim at a room at the motel.

The woman was wrapped in a towel and "cowering" on the floor, according to the affidavit.

Largo's shirt was stretched and torn, the affidavit states. He had blood on his lip and scratches on his neck, according to the affidavit.

The woman told police she had known Largo for a few months and considered him a friend, the affidavit states.

She said they went to the casino earlier in the evening and returned to Largo's room at the motel, where she hoped to take a shower, according to the affidavit.

The woman said Largo became aggressive and told her he would get what he wanted, the affidavit states.

The woman said Largo then raped her, the affidavit states.

Largo denied they had sex and said the blood on his lip was from a bloody nose, according to the affidavit.

He could not explain why his neck was scratched, the affidavit states.

Largo was released Monday from the San Juan County Adult Detention Center after he posted a $10,000 bond.

He could not be reached today for comment.

He is expected to appear Aug. 31 at a preliminary examination hearing.

Steve Garrison covers crime and courts for The Daily Times. He can be reached at 505-564-4644.