Crime Alert: SMCPD investigates on-campus sexual battery in the library, suspect not yet apprehended

Image provided by the Santa Monica College Police Department

Update on May 20:

The Santa Monica City Attorney’s office has not charged the sexual battery suspect with a crime. According to the city, the decision over whether or not to file charges against the suspect has not yet been made.

Update on May 6:

The suspect identified and photographed in the Crime Alert has since met with SMCPD officers, voluntarily, according to the police department. 

After an interview, the officers are developing a report to submit to the office of the Santa Monica City Attorney, Douglas Sloan. The attorney’s office will then decide whether to file criminal charges.

According to SMCPD, the investigation remains ongoing, and any additional information can be submitted by contacting 310-434-4300 and specifying Report #25-82.

The Santa Monica College Police Department (SMCPD) is investigating a case of sexual battery on the Santa Monica College (SMC) campus on April 30.

At around 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, the suspect allegedly approached the victim, a student, in the SMC Library, tapped their shoulder and asked for a kiss. The victim attempted to exit the scene.

The suspect, a male, then grabbed the groin area of the victim. He then departed the area in an “unknown direction,” according to a district bulletin.

The bulletin, sent on behalf of SMCPD Chief Johnnie Adams, Captain Kevin Kilgore and the SMCPD, stated the police department offered support and resources to the victim afterward.

SMCPD sent the bulletin as a Timely Warning, as opposed to an Emergency Notification, which would indicate there is believed to be an immediate threat to campus safety. A Timely Warning indicates the department does not believe there to be such a threat regarding this incident. 

The suspect has black hair and is estimated between 18 and 25 years old. His SMC affiliation is not reported on the bulletin. SMCPD is not willing to disclose more details at this time.

An investigation into the incident is ongoing. As of 4:45 p.m. on Wednesday, the suspect is not in custody.

“We are actively working all leads in an attempt to identify and apprehend the suspect,” said Adams in a statement to the Corsair.

SMCPD asks anyone with information related to the incident to call the department at 310-434-4300 and refer to Report #: 25-82.

The department also advises students to report all suspicious activity to the police by calling the number above or using the college’s LiveSafe app for discreet communication with safety officers.

This is a developing story.