News
OU Student Charged With Alleged Sexual Imposition
By: WOUB Staff reports
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A 19-year-old Ohio University student is charged in one of two sex offenses reported on campus in the course of a week.
Michael A. Conti, of University Heights, Ohio was charged with one misdemeanor charge of sexual imposition, according to a news release from the Ohio University Police Department.
Conti is charged in connection with an incident on Feb. 18 at about 12:30 a.m., in which a female reported to police that a male had approached her on Morton Hill, according to the police report. The female reported the incident on Feb. 23.
“After walking with her until the walking path between Stewart Street and North McKinley Avenue, the victim reported that the male attempted to kiss her and grabbed her breast,” the police alert stated.
The victim was able to fight off the male and leave the area without injuries, according to police.
This is the second report of gross sexual imposition to be reported on campus this week. On Feb. 17, a woman reported an unknown male approaching her and making “harassing comments” on Feb. 14.
The woman was reportedly walking south on Oxbow Trail under Richland Avenue at about 6 a.m., according to a crime alert at the time of her report.
“The victim continued walking south when the unknown male grabbed her thigh,” the crime alert stated.
The woman reported that she was able to fight off the suspect and leave the area without physical injury.
The victim in the Feb. 17 report was described as a “college-aged male” with brown eyes, who may have been wearing a toboggan and a hooded sweatshirt.
Police have not said whether they believe the two incidents are connected in any way.
OUPD were also called to OhioHealth O’Bleness Memorial Hospital on Monday to pick up an anonymous Sexual Assault Evidence Collection Kit for a reported rape, according to police reports. No other details about that case have been released.
Lt. Tim Ryan told WOUB that based on the “limited information” in the rape case, investigators do not believe the rape is connected to a serial sexual offender investigation being conducted by the Athens Police Department and OUPD.