No charges filed in alleged rape

Published 7:34 pm Wednesday, February 10, 2016

No charges will be filed in connection with a rape reported at Longwood University on New Year’s Eve, a special prosecutor has decided.

Patricia Scales, the Cumberland County Commonwealth’s Attorney, was named special prosecutor and investigated the alleged incident after Prince Edward Commonwealth’s Attorney Megan Clark cited a conflict in the case.

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“The investigation is completed,” Scales said. “And no charges will be brought.”

According to Longwood Police Department’s crime log, the rape allegedly occurred on Thursday, Dec. 31, between 10:30 p.m.-11:30 p.m. on campus. The document didn’t cite a specific location.

The disposition of the case is pending, according to the police log.

Following the incident, Longwood Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Tim Pierson sent an email to university students, noting that “campus police and the Longwood Title IX office are investigating a report of a non-stranger sexual assault that allegedly occurred Thursday evening on campus.”

“Longwood closely cooperated with Commonwealth’s Attorney (Pat) Scales in the investigation of the alleged non-stranger sexual assault reported to the university community on January 1,” Longwood spokesman Matt McWilliams said.

“In any instance of a reported sexual assault, Longwood carefully adheres to its on-campus Title IX process. As required by federal law, the on-campus process is separate, and proceeds regardless of any decision by local prosecutors regarding criminal charges. The Title IX process determines whether the campus conduct code has been violated and ensures all necessary support to anyone who reports a sexual assault.”

According to McWilliams, 13 non-stranger sexual assaults have been reported on campus or in Longwood student housing since August 2014 and early January.