University Police investigates alleged sexual battery incident
University Police (UP) is investigating an alleged false imprisonment and attempted sexual battery incident that may have occurred Saturday at the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity house.
An 18-year-old female told police she was pulled into a room against her will at the house.
UP spokeswoman Lt. Meg Ross said in an e-mail that the female claimed she was “inappropriately touched.”
The incident was reported to UP at approximately 8:50 p.m., Ross said.
No charges have been made. Ross said the female did not name a suspect in the police report.
Sigma Phi Epsilon President Ryan Kearns said the fraternity is cooperating with the authorities.
“There is an alleged incident that was reported,” Kearns said. “We are answering any questions about the investigation – about the house.”
Kearns said after speaking with authorities there is reason to believe the incident did not happen in the Sigma Phi Epsilon house.
“After further review, we’ve found certain inconsistencies in the report (to UP) that indicate this incident did not occur in our house,” Kearns said.
Ross said detailed information about the victim and possible suspect is withheld because the investigation is ongoing.
– Courtney Alberigo and Kelli Polson
More Stories
USF admin’s response to suicides unclear. What we know so far.
USF’s administration will not say who or how it will prevent future suicides on campus a month after a student leapt from an upper floor balcony of the Interdisciplinary Science Building – the third suicide since fall 2022. The Oracle has asked repeatedly about which USF administrators are overseeing suicide prevention initiatives and how the […]
USF SG leaders look back on campaign accomplishments while on non-speaking terms
Student body president Cesar Esmeraldi and vice president Elizabeth Volmy reached nearly every campaign goal during their term. The one thing that didn’t persevere was their unity. The pair ended their tenure reflecting on it from separate rooms. “We’ve had a great year,” Esmeraldi said. “I’m very happy with everything we’ve built. But because of […]
USF’s ‘Take Back the Night’ allows sexual survivors to share pain, resilience: ‘Recovery isn’t easy.’
A sexual assault survivor, who was the first speaker at Wednesday evening’s “Take Back the Night,” said the hardest day of their life was not when they were assaulted – it was the day after. “When I had to call my mom and tell her how her [child lost their] virginity and tell my therapist […]
USF campus ministers offer perspective on stadium development: ‘Exciting benefit of exposure.’
Take a tranquil stroll down Sycamore Drive. It’s a quieter part of campus, hidden away from the usual hustle and bustle of USF. It’s home to an area colloquially known as “Religious Row,” a collection of on-campus religious organizations. In just a few years – with the construction of an on-campus football stadium – the […]
McKinley Drive closed down for death investigation, Tampa police say
The intersection between Fowler Avenue and McKinley Drive was closed due to a death investigation late Wednesday afternoon, according to the Tampa Police Department (TPD). A man shot himself after making a bomb threat in the parking lot of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), located at 11201 McKinley Drive, according to TPD. Police said […]
USF 2024-25 A&S budget to increase student organization funding in Tampa and St. Pete
The Student Government (SG) Senate approved the 2024-25 Student Activities & Services (A&S) budget for all three campuses this Tuesday, seeing an overall increase in allocated money to student organizations. The vote was 26-0, approving the budget. Related: 2023-24 A&S budget down $5 million from last fiscal year Students pay fees in their tuition – […]