A man who sexually assaulted a woman on a college campus in 2013 was sentenced to two to four years in prison after admitting his guilt in a Facebook message. The assault, which occurred at Gettysburg College, went unprosecuted for nearly a decade, but the case gained traction after the defendant, Ian Cleary, sent a message to the victim in 2019 saying, “So I raped you.” This message led to renewed efforts from the victim, Shannon Keeler, to bring the case to light.
Cleary, now 32, was extradited to the U.S. from France after spending years overseas. The victim had first reported the assault years earlier, but authorities were initially reluctant to pursue charges, a common issue in campus sexual assault cases. Cleary’s message, which he claimed was part of his attempt to atone for his actions through a 12-step program, became the key piece of evidence in bringing him back to face justice.
The sentence, which fell below state guidelines, was influenced by Cleary’s guilty plea, his expressed remorse, and his history of mental illness. Despite this, Keeler expressed disappointment with the outcome, noting that the punishment did not reflect the gravity of Cleary’s crime. She spoke at length in court, sharing how the prolonged process of seeking justice had affected her and her family, and how the legal system had failed her and others like her.
The assault took place during the eve of winter break when few students remained on campus. Cleary snuck into Keeler’s dorm, pushing his way into her room and assaulting her while she was an 18-year-old freshman. In the years that followed, Cleary continued his education, eventually obtaining a master’s degree and working for Tesla, before fleeing the U.S. and moving to Europe.
Keeler’s tireless efforts to hold Cleary accountable eventually led to his indictment, years after the assault took place. She highlighted the devastating impact the crime had on her, and despite the challenges in gathering evidence due to time elapsed, she expressed relief that Cleary had been finally held accountable.
The case sheds light on the difficulties many sexual assault victims face in seeking justice, especially in cases involving college students. It also underscores the critical role of persistence and the courage of victims in bringing perpetrators to trial, even after years of delays.
