A man, Ian Cleary, received a two to four-year prison sentence on Monday for sending a Facebook message to a woman he had sexually assaulted in college, saying, “So I raped you.” This incident occurred at Gettysburg College, and Cleary was extradited from France over a year ago for the assault, which the victim reported to the police nearly 12 years ago.
During sentencing, the judge considered Cleary’s guilty plea, remorse, and history of mental illness, leading to a sentence below state guidelines. Cleary admitted to sending the messages in 2021 as part of a 12-step program to seek atonement for a sexual assault that happened eight years earlier.
The victim, Shannon Keeler, expressed that the messages reopened old wounds related to the assault, which had gone unpunished for years. In her impactful statement, Keeler highlighted the challenges she faced in seeking justice, reflecting the struggles of many women in similar situations.
Despite facing a maximum of 10 years in prison for the assault, Cleary and the prosecution initially suggested a four- to eight-year sentence. Keeler’s lawyer, Andrea Levy, acknowledged that the sentence was less than expected but expressed relief that the case had concluded.
Keeler recounted how Cleary had assaulted her in her dorm room during her first semester at Gettysburg College, emphasizing the lasting impact of the crime. The judge, Senior Judge Kevin Hess, described the crime as “horrifying,” particularly for those with daughters or granddaughters in college.
Cleary, who will be required to register as a sex offender, left Gettysburg after the assault, completed college in California, and worked at Tesla before relocating abroad. He was apprehended in France following a vagrancy charge, which led to his extradition back to the United States.
In court, Cleary apologized to Keeler and his father, expressing his commitment to mental health treatment moving forward. Keeler’s long-standing efforts to pursue charges against Cleary eventually led to his indictment and arrest, culminating in the recent sentencing.
Throughout the legal proceedings, Keeler emphasized the challenges she faced due to lost evidence and the passage of time. She underscored the enduring impact of the assault on her life and family, urging for accountability and justice in cases of sexual violence.
