Rape suspect arrested

Copyright © 2008
Gallup Independent
By Phil Stake
Staff writer

GALLUP — Franklin “Mo-Mo” Owalecio, 56, was arrested Friday for rape.

According to the arrest warrant, Owalecio allegedly raped a woman inside a motel room at Redwood Lodge Oct. 24. The victim met Owalecio, a man she had known for 13 years, while walking along the railway in north Gallup.

Owalecio convinced her to go to the room with him and have drinks.

Upon entering the room, Owalecio allegedly forced himself on the victim. Then he battered her and threw her around the room. The woman was drunk, crying and “distraught,” when police arrived. She was transported to Gallup Indian Medical Center and treated for back, neck and head injuries, and given a sexual assault examination.

During interviews with detectives, the victim said she dialed 911 and the call connected before Owalecio struggled to take away her cell phone. Knowing the call went through, Owalecio fled on foot, but was arrested at NCI after being picked up for detoxification a few days later.