PHOENIX — A Phoenix firefighter has been accused of raping a woman inside her home after a night out on St. Patrick's Day.
Court documents say the woman was drinking and planned to take an Uber home but Carlos Encinas offered to drive her home instead.
The woman told investigators that Encinas asked to use the restroom and that she allowed him inside her house.
She said she believed she was dressed when she fell asleep in her bed, but eventually woke up to Encinas on top of her and raping her.
Court documents say the woman told him multiple times to stop and physically tried to make him stop.
Text messages exchanged between the two were included in court documents and show Encinas saying in part, "There is no excuse and I'm not going to say or do anything that could change it. The damage is done." He also said, "I'm so sorry that's not me at all. I wish I could take it back I truly do."
After being read his Miranda rights, Encinas said he believed the sex was consensual and he didn't hear the woman telling him to stop, according to documents.
Court documents say Encinas was a suspect in another sexual assault investigation in 2020, but no charges have been submitted at this time in that case.
In the most recent case, Encinas faces one count of sexual assault.
The Phoenix Fire Department released the following statement on Encinas:"The Phoenix Fire Department is aware of the police investigation of Carlos Encinas. At this time, Carlos is still employed as a firefighter with the Phoenix Fire Department."
