Couple accused of raping woman in South Bend
On September 12, 2022, the victim told officers with the South Bend Police Department that she was forced to perform a sex act on Deccoe Tate at knifepoint, reports said.
The victim also said Tate raped her, according to reports.
When police interviewed Tate, he allegedly said his girlfriend, 30-year-old China Pinkney, assaulted the victim and that he did not rape the victim.
Police executed a search of Tate's residence and found Pinkney hiding in a closet, reports said. She was arrested on an outstanding warrant.
Police also found the victim's broken cell phone, a purse, a knife and possible blood evidence in the residence, reports said.
Pinkney allegedly refused to speak to police about the investigation, saying a woman cannot rape another woman.
Surveillance footage from Tate's residence showed the victim running away from the residence and Tate running in the same direction a short time later.
The victim was interviewed again and told police she was showering at Tate's apartment when Pinkney hit her in the mouth, ripped her out of the shower by her hair and threw her down a flight of stairs, reports said.
The victim was injured in the arms and hands while trying to stop the fall.
Pinkney allegedly told her to "get the [expletive deleted] up here" and the victim was scared because Pinkney reportedly had a knife.
At knifepoint, Pinkney made the victim go into the bedroom and perform a sex act on Tate, according to reports.
Afterward, Tate allegedly raped the victim.
A witness who called 911 for the victim said she showed up on his doorstep without shoes and in obvious distress. The witness said the victim looked like she was hiding from someone.
Another witness said he was not at the residence when the incident took place but showed up later.
Both Tate and Pinkney told the witness Pinkney assaulted the victim and the two forced the victim to perform a sex act on Tate, according to the affidavit.
The witness reported seeing the victim's broken phone on the living room floor, police said.
Tate was charged with four counts of rape. He is being held on a $30,000 cash bond.
His trial date is set for July 11.
Pinkney was charged with two counts of rape and one count of battery resulting in bodily injury.