Arizona Diamondbacks Minor League Prospect Arrested on Rape Charge

The charges stem from the victim being unable to consent to sexual activity due to her age and not due to force.

Norman Joel Melendez-Ramos Photo: Salem Police Department

(SALEM, Ore. ) - Early Thursday morning, police detectives in Salem, Oregon arrested 21-year-old Norman Joel Melendez-Ramos on charges of Rape in the Third Degree.

Melendez-Ramos is a baseball player for the Yakima Bears, a minor league affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, that is currently in Salem for a series of games against the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes.

Melendez-Ramos allegedly met the 15-year-old female victim following the baseball game at Volcanoes Stadium on Tuesday, July 24th.

The two spoke and exchanged phone numbers, then made arrangements to meet following the game on July 25th.

The victim came to the hotel where the team was staying at which time the two engaged in sexual activity.

The charges stem from the victim being unable to consent to sexual activity due to her age and not due to force.

Melendez-Ramos was transported and booked into the Marion County Jail for Rape in the Third Degree.

Officials with the Yakima Bears have been in touch with investigators in this case.

Information from Yakima Bears:

Full Name: Norman Joel Melendez

Birthplace: Manatt, Puerto Rico

College: Southeastern C.C., West Burlington, IA

Selected by the Diamondbacks in the 28th round of the MLB Draft in 2005.

Height: 5' 11"

Weight: 170

Bats: R

Throws: R

Highlights: Hit .275 with six RBIs and 17 stolen bases in 22 games in Dominican Summer League (Diamondbacks). Batted .235 in five games at Class A Yakima.

Reports From Iraq

Salem-News.com Top Stories
Winter Storm and High Wind Warnings Blow into NorthWest

---

Police Say Driving Rampage Ends in Fatal Shots

---

Afghanistan, the Unlearned Lesson

---

Greenscam: Scientific Mass Manipulation in Action

---

Living the Lie: Agent Orange Activist Confronts Monsanto

---

WHAT ABOUT STOP TALKING WITHOUT KNOWING THE PERSON.HE HASNT QUESTIONABLE IMMIGRATION STATUS,HE'S AMERICAN TOO. WHATEVER IMMIGRATION STATUS OR ETNICITY DONT MATTER. I KNOW HE'S INNOCENT!!

I think it is important to remember that the girl did was NOT forced to go back to the hotel. She knew exactly what she was doing. I feel bad for the poor guy.

Hard for a 21 yr old when some hoochie mama throws herself at him. I bet she was right up front when he asked her age. Lots of little 15 yr old's that look and dress 18 any day of the week. Well noted he was charged because of her age and not due to force. Where were her parents???

How about defusing hispanic surname with underage girls.

Thank you for posting Melendez's vital stats - and thus defusing anyone who equates an Hispanic surname with questionable immigration status.

Name:

Enter the text from the image to confirm you are human.(Cookies are required)

HTML tags and certain characters are removed - (numbers, letters only or post may be cut short.) certain words are banned to stop spammers. All comments and messages are approved by people and self promotional links or unacceptable comments are denied.