Southeast Missouri State student arrested for alleged rape

Sacorie Burgess

A Southeast Missouri State University student was arrested by the SEMO Department of Public Safety for an alleged rape/attempted rape that occurred Aug. 18.

Sacorie Burgess, 22, of St. Louis was booked into Cape Girardeau County jail Wednesday, Sept. 11.

According to the probable-cause statement, the victim had told Burgess she did not want to have sex with him stating “friends don’t do that.” The documents stated that Burgess attempted to have sex with the victim by trying to remove her shirt when the victim pulled her shirt down and “verbally refused.”

After the victim said no, Burgess got into the bed with the victim where the intercourse happened, according to the documents. The victim told a Network Against Sexual Violence (NASV) forensic interviewer Aug. 19, that she tried to resist his advances “by moving her hips and abdomen.” The victim stated in the documents that Burgess allegedly said, “Just let it happen,” as the situation occurred.

The victim told the interviewer she felt physically weak at the time of the alleged assault and stated it was because of a “prior gym session” and suffering stomach pain at the time.

“She also had bruises on her arms and wrists from ‘roughhousing’ with Burgess two days earlier. (Redacted) had previously asked Burgess to stop when he hurt her wrist, indicating that Burgess was aware of his physical strength relative to hers and of her stomach pain. After the assault, (redacted) went home and took a shower, stating that she scrubbed herself,” the probable cause stated.

The probable cause also stated that Burgess did not use a condom amid intercourse.

The documents stated Burgess was interviewed by an officer Aug. 27, when he expressed “remorse” for what he did and was also aware he could face jail time. Burgess allegedly stated in the interview he stopped having sex with her once he realized the “seriousness” of the victim’s refusal, also stating he didn’t believe she “genuinely meant no” on her “initial” refusal to have sex with him.

“Burgess admitted to several of the details provided by (readcted). He stated he did not recall saying, ‘Just let it happen,’ but admitted his memory was not reliable and accepted that he probably said it if (redacted) reported it,” the probable cause stated.

According to the documents, near the end of the interview, Burgess expressed guilt for what happened and allegedly admitted to knowing the sexual activity “was not consensual,” stating “he felt like a rapist.”

According to SEMO Department of Public Safety daily crime logs, there was a rape in the second degree logged Aug. 18 that happened at 350 North Henderson Ave., where Vandiver Hall is located.

Burgess is being held on a $50,000 bond.