Drake University Sigma Chi Frat Brother Arrested for Alleged Sex Abuse
DES MOINES, Iowa (CBS/AP/KCCI) Police have arrested a Drake University student accused of sexually abusing his fraternity brother and documenting the foul behavior in photographs and videos.
According to CBS affiliate KCCI, the alleged victim found images of himself being sexually abused on the suspect's computer, copied the images to a memory card and notified police. A search warrant was obtained and executed Tuesday to search the room of 21-year-old suspect Anthony Bertolone.
Des Moines police spokeswoman Sgt. Lori Lavorato says the victim was incoherent during the assaults, which date back to as early as last fall. She believes he was drugged and says the victim was unaware of the assaults until he discovered the pictures of himself on Bertolone's computer.
Bertolone, who's a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity, is charged with third-degree felony sex abuse, reported KCCI.
The victim told police that he was never in a sexual relationship with Bertolone and that he did not agree to the acts, reported KCCI. According to the victim, Bertolone performed the sexual acts on him while he was passed out.
"This is something that he had no knowledge of. In the video it shows and it's very evident that he was incoherent at the time," said Lavorato according to KCCI. "I feel awful for him and it's unfortunate that this happened to him. But I'll give him kudos because he had a lot of courage to come forward."
Drake University's Sigma Chi chapter vice president said Bertolone was "kicked out" of the fraternity.
Chapter advisor Kurt Van Thomme said Bertolone's lease was terminated and the fraternity will conduct its own investigation, but will rely heavily on the university's findings.
Police said their investigation is ongoing.