Crime Alert

Police say student recants story about being sexually assaulted

EAST LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan State University police are seeking to bring felony charges for filing a false police report against an 18-year-old student who recanted her story about being raped near IM Sports East on Sept. 11.

The woman who filed the report Sept. 17 said she had been sexually assaulted in a wooded lot northwest of IM Sports East. The woman said the suspect told her he had a gun.

A police investigation revealed several “gaps” in her story.

A universitywide e-mail was sent to more than 60,000 recipients Sept. 18 to alert the community of the alleged assault prior to the student recanting her story.

Federal law requires that the university provide crime alerts when there is a report of a criminal act on campus that poses a threat to the health and safety of the campus community.

“Our top priority is the safety of the community. We have to treat every report as a crime and conduct thorough investigations,” said MSU Police Sgt. Florene McGlothian-Taylor.

Charges are being filed with the Ingham County Prosecutor’s Office.

Woman reports being assaulted, police investigating

EAST LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan State University Police Department is investigating a Sept.17 report of a sexual assault of an 18-year-old student that occurred between 12:35-12:45 a.m. Sept. 11 in the wooded lot northwest of IM Sports East.

The woman said the suspect had a weapon which he placed against her neck during the assault. After the assault, she said the man ran west from the location of the attack. The victim returned to her residence hall.

The suspect is described as a white man, unknown age, medium build, deep voice and thick wrist. He was last seen wearing a navy-blue sweatshirt. 

If anyone has any information regarding this incident, contact the MSU Police at (517) 355-2222.

Safety Tips

Here are some safety tips from the MSU Police:

  1. Call 911 if you are in danger.
  2. Walk in well-lit areas if possible.
  3. Be aware of your surroundings and others in the area.
  4. Realize that listening to headphones or iPods or talking on your cell while walking decreases your awareness of your surroundings.
  5. Walk with others when possible.

Services Available

CATA Bus Customer Services

(517) 432-2282, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. and weekends 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.

CATA Night Owl

(517) 432-8888, Monday through Friday, 2 a.m.-7a.m.

Use any campus green light phone to call the CATA Night Owl. The bus will arrive within 20 minutes of calling.

For information on IM self-defense classes on campus, call (517) 432-2661.