Manhunt underway for El Paso man in drugging, rape case at Inn of the Mountain Gods

MESCALERO, N.M. (KFOX14/CBS4) — There is currently a manhunt for an El Paso man accused of drugging and raping a woman he just met at the Inn of the Mountain Gods resort and casino back in June of 2024.

According to the affidavit for arrest, 24-year-old Danny Rivera is wanted for criminal sexual penetration in the second degree and distribution of gamma hydroxybutyric acid or flunitrazepam.

The affidavit describes that on June 7, 2024, the victim was at the resort with her boyfriend when they got into an argument. Wanting to be away from her boyfriend, the victim went to the bar where she met Rivera and had a couple of drinks.

Waking up in a hospital, the victim told investigators with the New Mexico State Police that that is all she remembers from that night.

Watching surveillance video, investigators believe they were able to piece together what happened, concluding that Rivera allegedly drugged her before raping her and leaving her unconscious in the middle of a hallway inside the resort.

According to the affidavit, from 9:30 p.m. to 11:45 p.m., investigators followed the victim from when she entered the resort, met Rivera, rode the elevator with him (the victim looking like she could barely walk), until the two went into a room, and then Rivera is seen allegedly dragging the victim out of the same room one hour later, before abandoning her in the middle of the hallway.

In the affidavit, investigators said a man passing by checked on her and flagged a maid to call for help.

A urine sample from the victim showed that she had benzodiazepine in her system, which investigators identified as a sedative.

Furthermore, bruising on the victim’s arms, legs and intimate areas was identified by hospital staff.

In the affidavit, the victim’s boyfriend told investigators that on the night of the alleged assault, he called the victim’s phone only to hear a man’s voice tell him,

Hey bro come get your b*tch we’ve done f***** her.

The boyfriend described the voice as having a thick Hispanic accent.

Investigators said that with the help of the FBI, they were able to identify Rivera as their suspect after the victim shared a selfie she took with the man on the night of the alleged assault.

After Rivera was identified, on July 12, he was interviewed at the El Paso Police Department, where investigators said he declined to give a statement and requested an attorney.

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