Thursday, March 28, 2024

Former PSUC student arrested for sexually assaulting resident

After a female Plattsburgh State student came forward and reported an act of sexual assault, Richard A. Smith, a PSUC student who was asked to leave the college following the week’s events, was arrested Wednesday night and charged with sexual abuse in the first degree and unlawful imprisonment.

The reporter told University Police that a male acquaintance came into her room in the early morning hours Saturday and sexually assaulted her. PSUC University Police Assistant Chief Jerry Lottie said the reporter would seek charges against Smith.

Smith was held at Clinton County Jail after his arrest on $2,500 bail and $5,000 bond, which was posted.

Lottie said although there are precautions all PSUC students can take to ensure his or her safety, including staying alert and aware of surroundings and implementing the buddy system, these are cases where the responsibility is on the perpetrator.

“There is really nothing that the person could have done to prevent this,” Lottie said, “The ownership should be completely with the perpetrator.”

PSUC Executive Director for Marketing and Communications Ken Knelly said given the circumstances of Smith’s arrest and arraignment, he is no longer a student at PSUC.

However, because of regulations in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, Knelly could not discuss the specific actions that the PSUC administration took.

Following Smith’s Wednesday night arrest, a campus-wide email was sent by University Police Chief Arlene Sabo to reinforce the importance of alerting law enforcement officials of any suspicious persons or activities immediately.

Students are also advised to make note of the on-campus blue light phones.

Smith’s next court appearance will be Friday in Clinton County.

Email Maggie McVey at news@cardinalpointsonline.com.

5 Comments

  1. Why do you people choose to publish this article when all you guys are doing is being biased. You guys did this on purpose, so when people read this Mr. Smith is perceived as guilty. All of the qoutes were purposely put to hinder the way he is looked at in this situation. You guys put that officer Lott said,” There is really nothing that the person could have done to prevent this”. Due to the uneducated person who wrote this horrible article you guys put the qoute of the cop practically saying that he did sexual abuse the girl. The cop doesn’t even know this. In addition he has been accused of that, so don’t make it seem like he’s guilty to the readers. In the justice system, my fellow readers and peers you guys have to realize that sometimes people get accused for serious crimes while being innocent. This is why it’s our responsibility as readers to not get brainwashed by biased articles like these. Be aware of horrible people like the person who posted this article who abuse there power in journalism. #BeEducatedAndAware

  2. Why do you people choose to publish this article when all you guys are doing is being biased. You guys did this on purpose, so when people read this Mr. Smith is perceived as guilty. All of the qoutes were purposely put to hinder the way he is looked at in this situation. You guys put that officer Lott said,” There is really nothing that the person could have done to prevent this”. Due to the uneducated person who wrote this horrible article you guys put the qoute of the cop practically saying that he did sexually abuse the girl. The cop doesn’t even know this. In addition he has been accused of that, so don’t make it seem like he’s guilty to the readers. In the justice system, my fellow readers and peers you guys have to realize that sometimes people get accused for serious crimes while being innocent. This is why it’s our responsibility as readers to be aware of horrible journalists like this who abuses their power of the press.
    #BeEducatedAndAware

  3. Why do you people choose to publish this article when all you guys are doing is being biased. You guys did this on purpose, so when people read this Mr. Smith is perceived as guilty. All of the qoutes were purposely put to hinder the way he is looked at in this situation. You guys put that officer Lott said,” There is really nothing that the person could have done to prevent this”. Due to the uneducated person who wrote this horrible article you guys put the qoute of the cop practically saying that he did sexual abuse the girl.

  4. The cop doesn’t even know this. In addition he has been accused of that, so don’t make it seem like he’s guilty to the readers. In the justice system, my fellow readers and peers you guys have to realize that sometimes people get accused for serious crimes while being innocent. This is why it’s important that as readers we take responsibility and be aware of horrible journalists. We have to be responsible enough readers to realize that people like the one who wrote this article is abusing their power in journalism. #BeEducatedAndAware

Comments are closed.

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