Investigation into Bernadette Green-Placentia’s sexual assault ‘remains active’

The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) said Friday that its investigation into a sexual assault of congressional candidate Bernadette Green-Placentia that occurred while she was repairing campaign signs “remains active.”

Greene-Placentia, a Democrat challenging Republican Rep. Abe Hamadeh in Arizona’s 8th Congressional District, told Phoenix New Times she was struck in the head and lost consciousness after stopping to fix a campaign sign early one morning. She said she awoke to a man sexually assaulting her and that a second man was present.

MCSO confirmed to KTAR News 92.3 FM that it took a report regarding the assault on Aug. 31.

Authorities said Friday that “the potential area (of the assault) spans from the vicinity of 99th Avenue and Bell Road north toward the Anthem community.”

MCSO detectives have sought out surveillance footage, cell phone data and GPS information from an involved vehicle that can help piece together what happened. They’ve also spoken with people close to her to try and establish any potential leads.

“Our detectives remain committed to following every viable lead, gathering the facts and conducting a comprehensive investigation,” Maricopa County Sheriff Jerry Sheridan said in a release. “While we understand the community’s interest and desire for answers, protecting the integrity of the investigation is equally important.

“For that reason, we are limited in the additional details we can release at this time.”

Bernadette Greene-Placentia recounts sexual assault

“I knew that I had been knocked out,” Greene-Placentia told The Associated Press.

Greene-Placentia told the AP she was disgusted that two men took control of her body and she had no say in it. She said she decided to speak out publicly when she realized she was telling voters she would advocate for them when she was not advocating for herself.

“My takeaway is that I have a lot more empathy and understanding of why so many women don’t come forward,” she said. “And, I’m hoping that I can encourage them.”

Greene-Placentia said she could not recall many details of the Aug. 14 assault, including the exact location or a description of the men, though she said one wore black boots and had small feet. She told investigators one of the men used an expletive to describe her, and she believes he referenced her political party.

She said she does not know whether the attack was politically motivated, whether she was followed there or whether it was a crime of opportunity by attackers who saw a woman in a parking lot: “I wish I knew.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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