University of Arizona sorority member alleges sexual assault by two men at frat house
In short
A University of Arizona sorority member has alleged that two men sexually assaulted her at the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity house on Aug. 26, according to search warrant records posted by KOLD-TV. The university police department said its investigation is ongoing and did not say whether any arrests had been made.
Read the full story 2 min read
A sorority member at the University of Arizona has alleged she was sexually assaulted by two men at a fraternity house during a night of drinking in late August. She told the university's police department that she consensually kissed one of the men at one point while at the Sigma Phi Epsilon house on Aug. 26 but does not remember agreeing to sex, according to search warrant records posted Monday night by KOLD-TV in Tucson. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
In speaking with an investigator, the sorority member recalled consuming tequila, including sharing a cup of the beverage with friends. She also recalled witnessing two men sexually assaulting her, even feeling one man's breath on her face, awakening the next morning without pants and underwear on, and noticing a difficulty in swallowing, a possible sign of strangulation, according to the records. Later that day, she reported the allegations to police and underwent a forensic exam at a hospital. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
In a recorded call with the sorority member two days after the encounter, one of the men acknowledged he had sex with her, but he said she had agreed to it and denied that another man had sex with her. He said he had been drunk and "fuzzy" on what happened. He said people took video of the sorority member and him kissing in a bathroom, according to the records. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
The Associated Press left email and phone messages with the university on Tuesday seeking comment. The university's police department said the investigation is ongoing and declined to say if any arrests had been made. The Pima County Attorney's Office said the case has not been referred to it for prosecution. [ 2 , 5 ]
The sexual assault allegations surfaced two weeks after the university had suspended activities for its 21 fraternities amid reports of misconduct, including assault, hazing and drug- and alcohol-related behavior. Suspensions on all but five fraternities have since been lifted after they had mandatory meetings with the dean of students. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
A later New York Post article said the sorority member told police she woke up half-naked as two men assaulted her inside the Sigma Phi Epsilon house, according to a search warrant affidavit. [ 6 ]
Why it matters
The allegation surfaced two weeks after the university suspended activities for its 21 fraternities amid reports of misconduct. Suspensions on all but five have since been lifted.
Key facts
- A University of Arizona sorority member alleged she was sexually assaulted by two men at a fraternity house during a night of drinking in late August. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- She told university police she consensually kissed one of the men at the Sigma Phi Epsilon house on Aug. 26 but does not remember agreeing to sex, according to search warrant records posted Monday night by KOLD-TV. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- She reported the allegations to police later that day and underwent a forensic exam at a hospital. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- In a recorded call two days after the encounter, one of the men acknowledged he had sex with her but said she had agreed, and denied that another man had sex with her. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- The university police department said the investigation is ongoing and declined to say if any arrests had been made. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- The Pima County Attorney's Office said the case has not been referred to it for prosecution. [ 2 , 5 ]
- The university had suspended activities for its 21 fraternities two weeks before the allegations surfaced; suspensions on all but five have been lifted. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Nothing is confirmed by two independent outlets yet.
Still unclear
- Whether any arrests have been made. The university police department declined to say.
- Whether the two men had sex with her with consent. One man said in a recorded call that she agreed and denied that another man had sex with her; the account of the allegations comes from the woman's statements in search warrant records.
- Whether charges will be brought. The Pima County Attorney's Office said the case has not been referred to it for prosecution.
- The university's response to the allegations. The Associated Press left messages seeking comment with the university on Tuesday; the documents give no reply.
- The sorority member told university police she consensually kissed one of the men at the Sigma Phi Epsilon house on Aug. 26 but does not remember agreeing to sex, according to search warrant records. Reported by a single source so far
- The university police department said its investigation is ongoing and declined to say if any arrests had been made. Reported by a single source so far
- The university suspended activities for its 21 fraternities amid reports of misconduct including assault, hazing and drug- and alcohol-related behavior; suspensions on all but five have since been lifted after mandatory meetings with the dean of students. Reported by a single source so far
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- The Associated Press published its report on the alleged assault (Oct. 20). [ 1 ]
- The Seattle Times carried the AP report (Oct. 20). [ 2 ]
- The New York Post carried the AP report (Oct. 20). [ 3 ]
- The Guardian US carried the AP report (Oct. 20). [ 4 ]
- CBS News carried the AP report (Oct. 21). [ 5 ]
- The New York Post published a separate piece citing a search warrant affidavit (Oct. 21). [ 6 ]