IUP Student In Jail, Accused Of Raping 2 Women
INDIANA BOROUGH (KDKA) -- A Philadelphia man is facing charges in the alleged rape of two young women, both students at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, last week.
According to the Indiana Borough Police Department, 22-year-old Jose Aponte Jr. is facing charges of sexual assault, rape, aggravated indecent assault and indecent assault.
Aponte is a criminology major at IUP. Police say the first incident happened early Friday morning at an off campus apartment on Philadelphia Street.
According to the criminal complaint, Aponte allegedly walked the 22-year-old student back to her apartment after a night of drinking. She told police she woke up naked with Aponte on top of her.
A second incident happened early Saturday morning. The criminal complaint says Aponte and a different 22-year-old student were in her bedroom talking at her off-campus apartment. They both had been drinking.
She told police Aponte began kissing her, then became aggressive. She says he forced her to have oral sex and intercourse, and at some point tried to choke her when she told him to stop.
Police are now looking into a third case.
"We haven't identified a victim but it's our understanding a third victim, separate location and a separate incident," Indiana Borough Police Chief William Sutton said.
"We hold all of our students accountable to the judicial code of conduct," IUP Spokeswoman Michelle Fryling said.
IUP said Aponte could be suspended or expelled from school and the university is offering support to the victims.
Students say it's important to be observant if you're going to go out.
"Stick with people. Keep your drinks closed. Watch who's around you and don't go with someone random," IUP sophomore Raquelle Reinheimer said.
Police say Aponte turned himself in and has been arraigned. He is being held in the Indiana County Jail on $50,000 straight cash bond.
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