Photo credit should read THOMAS SAMSON/AFP via Getty Images
Wrestler and former MMA fighter Jose Rodriguez Chucuan was arrested in San Antonio, TX, in May.
[CW: The following article details reports of sexual assault]
According to Cage Side Seats Jose Rodriguez Chucuan, who is better known as Alberto Del Rio and Alberto El Patron, has been indicted on one count of aggravated kidnapping and four counts of sexual assault. Those charges stem from an arrest in San Antonio, TX, that occurred in May.
The initial reporting on Chucuan’s arrest stated that the former WWE performer, and mixed martial artist, had been accused of beating a woman and sexually assaulting her. Those first reports stated that a woman told police that, in addition to sexually assaulting her, Chucuan had slapped her across the head twice and threatened to take her son and drop him in the middle of the road if she refused to wear a certain dress and dance for him.
Having been formally charged by the Bexar County District Attorney’s office, Chucuan is scheduled to be arraigned today. He is due to be prosecuted by the Family Violence Division and tried in the 226th Criminal District Court.
Cage Side Seats reports that if Chucuan is found guilty of aggravated kidnapping he faces a minimum five year sentence and the possibility of life in prison. In Texas sexual assault charges can be prosecuted with a 20 year prison sentence and fines up to $10,000.
Chucuan’s mixed martial arts career began in 2001 and featured appearances in the Japanese promotions Deep and Pride. After a nine year hiatus from fighting, Chucuan returned in 2019 to fight UFC Hall of Famer Tito Ortiz. He lost that bout by first round submission.
In professional wrestling Chucuan most notably appeared for the WWE between 2009 and 2014 and then against between 2015 and 2016. In the WWE Chucuan had brief spells holding the company’s top honour—the WWE Championship.
Chucuan was fired from the WWE in 2014 and accused of “unprofessional conduct and altercation with an employee”. In 2016 he was suspended by the WWE for violating the company’s wellness policy.
Survivors of sexual assault can find support via the following organizations:
US – Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN)’s National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). RAINN also has an online chat service.
Love is Respect, 1-866-331-9474. They can also be reached via online chat or by texting LOVEIS to 22522.
End Rape on Campus (EROC), 1-424-777-EROC (3762).
Canada – Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime, 1-877-232-2610.
UK – UK Says No More.
Rest of the World – International Rape Crisis Hotlines.