The former president of a fraternity at Baylor University who was indicted for allegedly sexually assaulting a female student in 2015 will likely avoid jail after pleading guilty to a lesser charge.
Initially charged with four counts of sexual assault, Jacob Walter Anderson, 24, pleaded guilty Monday to unlawful restraint. The plea deal means Anderson will serve three years of deferred adjudication probation, pay a $400 fine, and undergo counseling—but won’t serve any jail time or have to register as a sex offender, according to the Waco Tribune Herald.
KWTX reported that the incident occurred during a Phi Delta Theta fraternity house party in February 2015. The victim told investigators that she took a sip of a drink then felt disorientated. She claimed Anderson led her to an isolated area on the property behind a tent and forced her to the ground.
While details surrounding the alleged assault were redacted from the affidavit, KWTX reported that the victim said she lost consciousness at some point and woke up lying in her own vomit. Police said the victim was hospitalized and a sexual assault nurse examiner confirmed she was raped.
The Herald reported that the victim and her family wanted the case to go to trial. In a statement, the victim accused prosecutor Hilary LaBorde told them she didn’t think a jury would convict Anderson as this was “only his first rape.” She also alleged that LaBorde characterized her attacker as an “innocent-looking young defendant.”
In September, the victim’s mother provided their family attorney with a statement where she claimed LaBorde never read the Title IX report nor spoke with witnesses. The woman’s mother said she believes the prosecutor never intended to try Anderson for his crimes.
“So, first-time rapists get a pass?” the woman asked, according to the newspaper.
Reports indicated that the woman filed a civil lawsuit in 2018 against Anderson, Phi Delta Theta fraternity, and the landlord of the home where the incident allegedly occurred. The lawsuit is currently pending.
[Featured Image: Jacob Walter Anderson/Provided]
