Stagecoach concert attendee sexually assaulted

[gaypalmsprings]

Stagecoach concert attendee sexually assaulted

4:07 PM, Apr. 28, 2012

A 17-year-old girl was sexually assaulted while using the restrooms at Stagecoach Festival on Friday night, police said today.

The woman was using the portable bathrooms near the main entrance about 8:30 p.m. when a man broke through the locked door.

“The male and two others began sexually assaulting her,” police spokesman Ben Guitron said.

After the assault, the men ran away and the teen went to the first aid stand, where police were called. She was taken to a local hospital for medical treatment.

Guitron said police do not have a description of the men other than that one of the men was blond.

The teen is a non-Coachella Valley resident who was attending the festival with friends, Guitron said.

Last year, a Stagecoach parking lot attendant raped a 23-year-old festival attendee after helping her find her car.

Darin Ledale Garrett of Los Angeles was convicted in December of the April 30, 2011, rape. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison.

Indio police asked anyone with information in the assault to call detectives at (760) 391-4057 or anonymously call Crime Stoppers at (760) 341-7867.

[craftykimmer]

Poor girl. I hope they find out who did this.

[counselme]

This is unacceptable.... With all the people they have working there this year, you would think they would have a couple people located at the bathroom areas..they do on the main ground of the festival. Someone could have either stopped this act or radioed to a dispatcher or police. My only other comment is that the restrooms heading toward Parking lot 14, aren't even lighted at all. The only light is that coming from the polo grounds, which isn't even enough light to use the restroom. I even commented to my husband about this tonight, not knowing this incident had occurred. So sad.

[Cooter]

how can you blame the people working there? all the blame lies with the men who committed the attack. don't even start with that crap.

[Country Gypsy]

how can you blame the people working there? all the blame lies with the men who committed the attack. don't even start with that crap.

I think Cooter, in all fairness, the comment was about those whe weren't working there, rather than those who were.

It is undersrtandably your connection and loyalty to Stagecoach/Goldenvoice. But I am sure that as an organization they review the deficiencies and oversights and make improvements yearly. Sometimes they can't know or see all of it, and pointing out a few areas that might need consideration becomes helpful. They would not have grown ito such a massive succesful undertaking if they didn't listen to what was being said. Especially when it comes to public liability.

So difficult to hear such a frightening and sad thing happen to such a young girl at such a happy place as Stagecoach.

[Cooter]

"With all the people they have working there this year, you would think they would have a couple people located at the bathroom areas"

not sure how you could interpret that any other way.

[sandholic]

AMEN Cooter!

[Janell24]

That's sad, why didn't any of her friends go w/her to the bathroom. And why didn't an employee stop the men from coming in.

[Cooter]

no, the correct question is "why did 3 guys decide to attack an innocent girl who was just trying to go to the bathroom?"

why did she go alone? guessing because she was at an amazing music festival without a care in the world and wasn't thinking anyone like that would be a threat in such a wonderful place.

[lakid07]

Cooter for President!

[Country Gypsy]

"With all the people they have working there this year, you would think they would have a couple people located at the bathroom areas"

not sure how you could interpret that any other way.

You are right Cooter, what I should have said was that with all the people working there, there were none present...I perhaps read into her intention , which is often not how it is perceived by others.

As for the other, there is no doubt and goes without saying , that this rape of a young girl is heinous, terrifying and above all criminal. An act, which may haunt and change her for the rest of her life.

Was it unwise to go alone???.. At her age - at ANY age, would one expect to be raped at a wonderful festival , by someone breaking in to a public porta potty.

My point is that Goldenvoice seems to be a company who listens to observations and complaints and tries to rectify them. Sometimes that information comes from people other than employees, such as the woman speaking of darkend, worrisome areas on the way to a parking lot.

Having worked within the entertainment industry for over 30 years I have learned what a litigious society we have become. And when it comes to public liability you have to be a guard dog or you will be sued.

Since 2008 , Cooter, I have enjoyed your insight, information , intelligence and your real sense of right and wrong. I think you have too much to offer than correct sincere peoples' grammar and spelling. One thing to be controversial, another to be contentious. I have always enjoyed and respected what you have to say, I don't like nit picking over words, when the intention is clear. Above all, I look forward to , what I hope, are many more years of wisdom from you.

P.S. lol...please do not correct any spelling errors as I am still camping and am without my dictionary.

[Rose]

The minute I heard the news I started texting the warning out to my SC friends to NOW be careful and not go anywhere alone. This is just not right.

I tell people that I go alone to SC and you should not be worried too either because you have 55K people around so you are never alone. You should feel safe at this event. So many great people.

I hope and pray that somebody saw those 3 guys, catch and punish those men to fullest that the law allows.