Vegas Hotel Guest Says Staffer Raped Her

LAS VEGAS (CN) - A security worker at Las Vegas' Aria Resort and Casino used a master key to enter a woman's room as she slept and rape her, she claims in court.

In her Oct. 13 lawsuit, J.F. says she "asked staff to have somebody escort her to her room for safety purposes" on Aug. 28.

The staff member assigned to escort her was defendant Nelson Antonio Valladares, according to the lawsuit in Clark County Court.

After taking her to her room, J.F. says, "Valladares checked out a security master key and re-entered her room" as she slept and "proceeded to forcibly rape the plaintiff."

"The craziest thing is, he managed to get access to the master key and then proceeded to rape her," her attorney, Ramzy Ladah, told courthouse News. "It wasn't a penis rape. He took off her panties and used his fingers."

Valladares was assigned to the casino floor and had no reason to be on the floor where the woman's room was, she says in the lawsuit. She claims that the Aria "created a dangerous and unsafe environment by failing to monitor their staff and security master keys to patron rooms" and that "reckless, malicious and unlawful business operations and practices allowed such an environment to persist on the property on a regular basis."

J.F. claims the Aria "had advance knowledge that Valladares was unfit for filling the position he was hired for" and that "Valladares was dangerous and threatening to patrons and yet failed to act to prevent patrons from being injured by Valladares."

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police arrested Valladares on Aug. 28 on charges of sexual assault and burglary, a department spokesman said.

The Clark County District Attorney's office did not return a call seeking information on charges filed.

Aria officials did not return a call seeking comment.

J.F. seeks punitive damages from Valladares and Aria Resort and Casino Holdings, for assault battery, false imprisonment, emotional distress, vicarious liability, negligence and negligent hiring, training, supervision and policies.

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