by Mindy Aguon

Guam - Three men accused of holding down, beating and raping a 24-year-old woman on Monday morning appeared before a judge this afternoon. The men are being held behind bars on $250,000 cash bail, accused of sexual assaulting a woman in an open field behind the Dededo Mayor's Office early Monday morning.

According to court documents, two joggers were passing by Lencho park when they heard a woman screaming and calling for help. She told police that she had been raped by four boys while another held her down. Police arrived on the scene and apprehended Jose Longa, Francis Madeus, and Minorichy Rugante. The three appeared via video teleconference in front of Magistrate Judge Alberto Tolentino this afternoon.

Court documents indicate that Longa admitted that he was drinking vodka in the park with Madeus and Rugante, a 12-year-old boy who they only knew as "Smoker" and a Chuukese man he didn't know. After four o'clock the victim walked by the park as she was returning from a relative's home. It's alleged Madeus went up to the girl asking her to have to sex; when she said no and tried to run away, Madeus then tackled her to the ground and Longa held her down as the other four took turns raping the woman.

The victim said that the men and the 12-year-old took turns slapping and punching her while another tried to put a plastic bottle in her mouth to muffle her screams.

Longa is charged with conspiracy to commit 1st degree criminal sexual conduct and felonious restraint while Madeus and Rugante are charged with three counts each of 1st degree criminal sexual conduct.

Judge Tolentino said, "The court agrees with the government. 1st degree criminal sexual conduct, if you're convicted, that's 15 years to life in prison. The court therefore agrees to the $250,000 cash bail."

The three are scheduled to appear back in court for a preliminary hearing on January 24. Of note is that all three were on pre-trial release for other criminal matters.

Police meanwhile are still searching the 12-year-old boy and the unnamed Chuukese man who were also involved in the sexual assault.