Clovis man facing sex charges

CLOVIS — A Clovis man is facing a charge of criminal sexual penetration following an alleged altercation with a coworker earlier this month, according to court documents.

Richmond Steele, 54, was released from the Curry County Adult Detention Center on Wednesday evening on a recognizance bond about three hours after he was booked there.

He is due in front of Magistrate Judge Janemarie Vander Dussen for a Monday morning arraignment.

According to the criminal complaint filed in Curry County Magistrate Court:

• Officers from the Clovis Police Department were dispatched Aug. 8 to the home of the alleged victim. She told police Steele, a coworker she previously dated, asked to visit because he had something he wanted to discuss outside of work.

• The female told officers she had a few drinks with Steele, took the dog outside and sat on the couch when she returned back inside. The next thing she remembered was waking up to Steele on top of her and performing a sex act. She eventually fought him off and locked herself in the bathroom

• The female shared a series of text messages between herself and Steele, with her repeatedly noting he committed rape and him apologizing for his actions. Steele denied drugging her in the exchange.

• An officer, after trying to contact Steele by telephone, visited him at his residence. Steele said he wanted to have a lawyer present before they spoke, and the officer agreed.

• The officer was able to acquire surveillance footage, with audio indicating a physical altercation and argument between the female and Steele.

The office of Ben Herrmann, Steele’s attorney, declined comment when contacted by The News.