Sexual assault investigation in Madison, Wisconsin

Two men, Yofred Marcano Gutierrez, 31, and Arturo Santos Albujas, 27, have been charged with multiple felonies following an alleged violent attack on a transgender woman at a pier on Lake Mendota near the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus.

The incident occurred in the early hours of August 29. According to police and criminal complaints, the victim met the men on State Street before being led to the Goodspeed Family Pier. The victim alleges the men lured her to the pier under the pretense of seeing a boat, then beat, dragged, and restrained her. She reported that Gutierrez attempted to strangle her and that she feared for her life.

Both suspects, who are residents of Fitchburg, were arrested at the scene. While the men have disputed the allegations, authorities noted physical evidence, including dried blood on Gutierrez’s hands, and reported that surveillance footage and witness accounts have corroborated portions of the victim's account. The victim was hospitalized with abrasions and rib pain.

Following the arrests, political discussions have emerged regarding the immigration status of the suspects and the decision by Dane County authorities not to honor an ICE detainer for at least one of the men.