SEMO DPS turns over evidence to prosecutor in sexual assault case

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- Investigators from the Southeast Missouri State University Department of Public Safety sent reports and evidence to the Cape Girardeau County prosecuting attorney's office Thursday in a sexual-assault investigation that occurred on campus, interim DPS director Beth Glaus said.

The assault occurred about 5 a.m. Sunday on campus and involved a female victim who is a student, Glaus said.

The victim reported the assault shortly after it took place, and DPS developed a "person of interest" in the investigation, Glaus said.

"Things happened, forensically, on a timeline," Glaus said, declining to say specifically whether forensic evidence was recovered via a rape kit.

Glaus described the incident as "specific" and said there was not a threat to the larger university community from a potential suspect.

"This is a serious incident. I want to encourage students to reach out to the many avenues they have available at SEMO," Glaus said. "Not only university police but crisis counselors, who are available 24/7, and the violence-prevention program. We all work closely together to ensure that students in crisis have advocacy services."

Cape Girardeau police have not been involved with the sexual-assault investigation, Sgt. Adam Glueck said.