Late Tuesday evening, May 28, 2002, the Lewiston Police announced the arrest of a suspect in the sexual assault of a Bates student in Pettengill Hall on April 5, 2002. The suspect is jailed and charged with gross sexual assault.

The person arrested is 21 years old and a resident of Sabattus, Maine. Lieutenant Tom Avery of the Lewiston Police Department indicated that individual arrested was unknown to the victim and “has no connection to the school.”

We wish to extend our appreciation to the Police Department, to Detective Brian O’Malley who has led the investigation, and to District Attorney Norman Croteau for their efforts to identify and to pursue under the law the prosecution of the assailant.

We offer our continued support to the student, her friends, and her family.

Sincerely,
Dean Celeste Branham