A man who sent a Facebook message stating, “So I raped you,” was sentenced to two to four years in prison on Monday for sexually assaulting a woman at Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania. Ian Cleary, 32, received the lesser sentence after the judge considered his guilty plea, expressions of remorse, and a long history of mental illness.
Victim Shannon Keeler detailed her experience in a moving statement to the court, expressing that the message Cleary sent years later only reopened deep wounds. The assault took place during winter break in 2013 when Cleary broke into her dorm room and assaulted her, but the case was not prosecuted for years.
“The system meant to protect me protected you instead,” Keeler declared, emphasizing the difficulties many survivors face in seeking justice in sexual assault cases.
Despite facing a maximum of 10 years in prison, the prosecution and defense initially agreed on a four to eight-year sentence while also recognizing the need for mental health support for Cleary.
Keeler's attorney, Andrea Levy, expressed disappointment at the sentence, feeling it was less than expected given the severity of the crime. Senior Judge Kevin Hess acknowledged the horror of such crimes, emphasizing the serious nature of Cleary's actions, but also highlighted Cleary’s effort to seek forgiveness.
After the attack, Cleary managed to evade capture for years and was only extradited from France after authorities tracked him down following the publication of Keeler’s story in an Associated Press article addressing the challenges of prosecuting campus sexual offenses.
During Monday’s sentencing, Cleary apologized to Keeler and committed to pursuing treatment for his mental health. Keeler remarked on finally being able to turn the page and begin her healing process after 12 years of struggle.
