NJ man accused of raping fellow Penn State student inside dorm room, campus police say
Centre Co., PA (WJAC) — Penn State University police say a New Jersey man is facing charges after being accused of raping a fellow student inside her dorm room earlier this year.
Authorities say 20-year-old Jacob Tillman allegedly admitted to assaulting the victim while also claiming that he had no memory of the incident.
According to the affidavit, police say the victim reported that the alleged assault had occurred in April after she and a group of friends had met with Tillman at the Lion's Den in downtown State College.
Police say, according to the victim, Tillman reportedly drank until he was intoxicated and required assistance returning to his dorm.
Investigators say the victim reportedly helped Tillman to the bathroom and then told him that he could sleep on the floor of her dorm room, rather than walk across campus.
Authorities say, at one point during the night, the victim reportedly woke up to Tillman "grabbing and groping" her.
Police say the victim allegedly told Tillman "no" and to "stop," at which time he reportedly "became more aggressive" and began removing her clothes without her consent and repeatedly assaulted her.
Authorities say as a result of the assault, the victim reported that she suffered injury and pain.
Police say when they interviewed Tillman about the accusation, he reportedly admitted to assaulting her despite having little to no recollection of the night of the incident.
"I want to acknowledge that I raped her, even though I don't remember the act of doing it, because it this point, there is no doubt in my mind that it happened, from everything I remember and from everything she said," police say Tillman said in statement.
Police say Tillman further explained that he had consumed several drinks, and smoked some marijuana, on the night of the incident.
Tillman reportedly told police that the last memory he had was of him vomiting inside the victim's dorm bathroom.
Police say they also uncovered text conversations between Tillman and the victim, from both before and after the night of the incident, including a conversation where Tillman says that the pair "came to a consensus to stop hooking up."
Investigators say a text conversation from after the alleged rape shows that Tillman admitted guilt to both the victim and a witness.
Tillman faces charges of rape, sexual assault and aggravated indecent assault, according to online court records.
He is out on unsecured bail and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for next week.
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