UP arrests Clearwater man for sexual battery
Sean McDonald, 18
A Clearwater man was arrested Sunday by University Police (UP) for sexual battery and possession of cocaine.
Sean McDonald, 18, confessed in an interview with UP to sexual battery against a 17-year-old USF student. He is not associated with USF, according to UP.
UP reportedly responded to a report at Magnolia Apartments on campus of alleged sexual battery from the victim’s mother, whom the victim had called to inform her of the incident. McDonald was an acquaintance of the victim, according to UP report.
McDonald is a lifeguard at Fort De Soto Park in Pinellas County.
He admitted to assaulting the victim while she was unconscious until she woke up, according to the criminal report. He also admitted to possession an unspecified amount of cocaine.
UP Public Information Officer Renna Reddick said McDonald had been on campus visiting friends, but doesn’t know whether or not he had been on campus before then.
McDonald was identified as the suspect, found, interviewed and arrested, according to Reddick.
He was taken to Orient Road Jail and has since posted his $17,000 bail.
Reddick reported that UP has not followed up with the victim at this time but is still handling the case.
More Stories
USF’s presidential search slowed in spring, now resumes with new firm
The USF presidential search committee announced this month its plans to move forward with a new search firm in its pursuit of a new university president. In May, USF spokesperson Althea Johnson told The Oracle that USF would move forward with its presidential search after its initial search firm — SP&A Executive Search — finished […]
USF rocket team takes flight in NASA competition despite challenges
In a field in Alabama, USF Society of Aeronautics and Rocketry members waited for Prometheus — the rocket they’d spent nine months crafting — to take flight. USF’s SOAR was among the 53 teams that launched their rockets for the NASA Student Launch in Huntsville on May 4. The USF team placed 18th after launching […]
USF international students navigate travel under new visa limitations
With a ban restricting visa issuance and entry into the U.S. in effect, USF student Arshia Esmaeilian said he is afraid his parents might not be able to see him graduate next year unless the ban is lifted. “I didn’t really ask for this,” said Esmaeilian, a senior chemistry major. “It’s just something I have […]
USF’s Marshall Student Center to reduce hours amid budget constraints
USF’s Marshall Student Center will operate under reduced hours starting in the upcoming fall semester. New operating hours will go into effect starting on Aug. 17 as listed below: Monday–Thursday: Changing from 7 a.m.–midnight to 8 a.m.–11 p.m. Friday: Changing from 7 a.m.–1 a.m. to 8 a.m.–midnight Saturday: Changing from 8 a.m.–1 a.m. to 8 […]
USF, Crisis Center step up hurricane prep as anxiety lingers from last season
With the arrival of hurricane season in Tampa, USF students – particularly those new to South Florida – may be experiencing increased stress or anxiety after the 2024 season. Running from June 1 to Nov. 30, hurricane season marks the period when tropical storms form and intensify in the Atlantic Ocean, according to the National […]
Hillsborough County to explore building sports complex at MOSI site
Another development project could soon be in the works at a rapidly changing area in Tampa. Hillsborough County Commissioners voted unanimously on May 7 to prioritize building an indoor sports complex at the Museum of Science and Industry site on Fowler Avenue. Though still in its early stages, the MOSI CEO and Temple Terrace mayor […]