by Mindy Aguon

Guam - The Guam Fire Department will not be investigating the arrest of one its firefighters who is accused of sexually assaulting an 11-year-old girl. The firefighter is gathering statements as he contends he's been falsely accused.

Dean Ray Quinata was arrested on Tuesday following the alleged rape that occurred after a card game the firefighter hosted at his Talofofo home. Quinata posted $10,000 cash bail and was also released on a $15,000 personal recognizance bond. GFD Spokesperson Lieutenant Ed Artero says Quinata asked to be placed on annual leave for an indefinite period to deal with his criminal case.

While previous arrests of fire department personnel resulted in internal investigations, Artero says the matter is not under investigation because Quinata is going through the justice system. He says the fire chief will wait until the matter is adjudicated before deciding then if action should be taken against the firefighter.

The spokesperson added that the department's Internal Affairs Unit is tasked solely to deal with cases involving personnel accused of violating standard operating procedures and department rules and regulations. Quinata's attorney, Curtis Van De Veld, meanwhile says he is gathering statements from other individuals that will show that his client was never at the location of the alleged rape.

Van De Veld adding that Quinata denies that the sexual assault happened and claims the female minor is making up the incident. A preliminary hearing is schedule for June 8 unless an indictment is handed down before then.

Quinata is a Firefighter II assigned to the Umatac Fire Station.