by Maggie McNeary, Morgan Embry & Chandler Watkins
Editor, Associate Editor & Contributor
A 23-year-old UCA student from Ghana was arrested on suspicion of rape and sexual assault earlier this month.
An unidentified UCA student reported being raped to UCAPD on Aug. 8.
Emmanuel Otoo, who was a student at the time of the incident, was arrested and taken to jail Aug. 9 and released on bond Aug. 10.
UCA Associate Vice President for Communications, Public Relations and Marketing Christina Madsen said Otoo is no longer a UCA student.
Madsen said Otoo’s departure from UCA “may or may not have been UCA’s decision.”
UCAPD Officer Michael Hopper confirmed that the alleged incident took place on the fourth floor of New Hall, the residence hall where Otoo lived. Hopper would not say where the victim lived.
The dates on the UCAPD incident report list the occurrence as beginning Aug. 2 and ending Aug. 8. Hopper said the date range was because the alleged rape and sexual assault incidents happened on separate days.
Prosecuting Attorney Cody Hiland said Otoo has not been charged with anything. He said he was reviewing the case to see if charges were appropriate.
Madsen said Otoo cannot be on campus or in the university’s dorms.
Federal law Title IX prohibits sex discrimination in education and federally funded programs. Sexual harassment, including sexual violence, violates Title IX.
When asked about the Title IX process, Associate General Counsel and Compliance Officer and UCA Title IX coordinator Kandi Hughes refused to answer and directed the reporter to UCA’s website.
Hughes had no comment regarding possible actions taken involving Otoo’s potential violation of Title IX.
Officer Ebony Austin at the Faulkner County Sheriff’s office said Otoo is scheduled to appear in court at 9 a.m. Sept. 19 at the Faulkner County Circuit Court.
