UPDATE 5:15 PM: University of Texas posts this tweet in response to attention given case, in part, via response to online petitions:
Statement from University of Texas at Dallas President Richard C. Benson:
“There is nothing more important at UT Dallas than the safety and security of our students. Two years ago we admitted a student without knowing their legal history. Based on recent court action and other information over the last several days, that student will not participate in UTD commencement activities, will not attend UT Dallas graduate school and will not be present on campus as a student or as a guest. I am grateful to the UT Dallas students, faculty and other community members who have shared their concerns, disappointment and outrage over this student’s presence on our campus.”
DALLAS – WBAP/KLIF – More than 17 thousand people appear to have signed a petition circulating online, demanding The University of Texas at Dallas remove 23-year old Jacob W. Anderson of Garland, a former Baylor student, who received no jail time as a part of a decried plea deal in a rape case. A second petition online is running on the Care2 Petitions site, objecting to the plea deal. It’s been signed by more than 115 thousand people.
Anderson was accused of raping a 19 year old student at a Phi Delta Theta party in 2016. He was arrested expelled from the university and in June 2018, indicted on four counts of sex assault. As part of the deal, Anderson agreed to a plea of unlawful restraint, which was accepted by Waco area’s State District Judge Ralph Strother.
The petition calling for removal of Anderson from UTD as a student states, “He submitted a plea of no contest and was sentenced to deferred probation, and will not be made to register as a sex offender. That being the case, the school has a responsibility to remove him from this new potential hunting ground. #BaylorRapistJacobAnderson”. Anderson is expected to graduate in about one week’s time from the University of Texas at Dallas.
The 23-year-old from Garland was accused of raping a 19-year-old student, referred to as Donna Doe in court documents, at a Phi Delta Theta party in 2016. He was arrested, expelled from the university and, in June 2018, indicted on four counts of sexual assault.
The safety & well-being of our students, faculty & staff are of the utmost importance to the University. While federal laws limit what we can address publicly, we are aware of the online petition & the community’s concern. UTD administration is currently reviewing the situation.
(Copyright. All Rights Reserved, WBAP/KLIF)
