Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

American captured in France on campus sexual assault charges waives hearing in Pennsylvania

An American extradited from France in a 2013 campus sexual assault case has waived his right to a court hearing in Pennsylvania this week

Via AP news wire
Monday 27 January 2025 12:48 EST

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

An American extradited from France to face charges in a 2013 campus sexual assault case has waived his right to a pretrial hearing in Pennsylvania this week.

Ian Cleary, 32, will remain in custody until a formal arraignment in Gettysburg set for March 18. He is accused of stalking the victim at Gettysburg College, sneaking into her dorm and sexually assaulting her.

Cleary, of Saratoga, California, left school after the alleged encounter and finished college and graduate school near home before moving to Europe. He is represented by an Adams County public defender who declined to comment on the case Monday.

Accuser Shannon Keeler had pursued charges from the start, renewing her efforts after receiving a Facebook message years later that said “So I raped you." The charges were filed in 2021, weeks after she told her story to The Associated Press.

She says his extradition this month gave her “renewed faith” in the justice system. Cleary fought extradition after he was captured in April, and returned this month after losing his appeal in the French courts.

The AP doesn’t typically identify sexual assault victims without their permission, which Keeler has granted.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in