NYPD cop charged with raping ex-girlfriend at gunpoint

An NYPD officer was arraigned Thursday and charged with raping his ex-girlfriend at gunpoint earlier this week.

Prosecutors say Arthur Roldan, 28, raped the unidentified woman at around 11 p.m. Tuesday at a parking lot in Midland Beach on Staten Island, both at gunpoint and again while holding a knife against her face, according to a criminal complaint. The woman also told police that Roldan slugged her in the face with a closed fist, causing bruising.

Roldan, who has been suspended by the NYPD, pleaded not guilty Thursday to two counts of rape, two counts of menacing and assault. A judge set bail at $20,000, and ordered Roldan to return to court on Sept. 26.

A spokesman for the Staten Island district attorney said the relatively low bail is "not necessarily a reflection of the seriousness of the charges," adding that Roldan has no prior arrests and is considered a "low flight risk."

After the court appearance, Matthew Santamauro, Roldan's lawyer, said, "He's maintaining his innocence at this point."

Roldan faces up to 25 years if convicted.