SEMO DPS turns over evidence to prosecutor in sexual assault case

Investigators from the Southeast Missouri State University Department of Public Safety sent reports and evidence to the Cape Girardeau County prosecuting attorney’s office Thursday in a sexual-assault investigation that occurred on campus, interim DPS director Beth Glaus said.

The assault occurred about 5 a.m. Sunday on campus and involved a female victim who is a student, Glaus said.

The victim reported the assault shortly after it took place, and DPS developed a “person of interest” in the investigation, Glaus said.

“Things happened, forensically, on a timeline,” Glaus said, declining to say specifically whether forensic evidence was recovered via a rape kit.

Glaus described the incident as “specific” and said there was not a threat to the larger university community from a potential suspect.

“This is a serious incident. I want to encourage students to reach out to the many avenues they have available at SEMO,” Glaus said. “Not only university police but crisis counselors, who are available 24/7, and the violence-prevention program. We all work closely together to ensure that students in crisis have advocacy services.”

Cape Girardeau police have not been involved with the sexual-assault investigation, Sgt. Adam Glueck said.

bkleine@semissourian.com

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1401 N. Sprigg St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.