A man was sentenced to two to four years in prison for sending a Facebook message admitting to raping a woman he sexually assaulted in college. Ian Cleary, 32, was extradited from France to Pennsylvania over the assault at Gettysburg College, more than a year after the incident was reported to the police. Despite facing a maximum sentence of 10 years, Cleary received a lighter sentence due to his guilty plea, expressions of remorse, and a history of mental illness.
Cleary disclosed the assault in a message sent in 2021, eight years after the incident, as part of a redemption-seeking program. The victim, Shannon Keeler, expressed how the messages reignited old wounds from the assault that had gone unprosecuted for years. Keeler highlighted the challenges she faced in pursuing charges in campus sexual assault cases, emphasizing the broader issue women encounter in seeking justice.
Keeler’s lawyer, Andrea Levy, mentioned that while the sentence was below expectations, there was relief that the case had concluded. The incident involved Cleary breaking into Keeler’s dorm room during winter break and assaulting her while she was a freshman at Gettysburg College. Judge Kevin Hess described the crime as “horrifying,” particularly for those with female relatives in college.
In addition to the prison term, Cleary will be required to register as a sex offender. Following the assault, Cleary left Gettysburg, completed his studies in California, worked for Tesla, and later moved abroad. His arrest was triggered by a vagrancy charge in France, leading to his extradition back to the U.S.
During the court proceedings, Cleary apologized to Keeler and his father, expressing a commitment to seeking mental health treatment. Keeler’s persistence in pursuing justice over the years was highlighted, noting the challenges she faced in the legal process. Despite the delays and difficulties, Keeler expressed gratitude for the accountability brought forth, acknowledging the enduring impact of the assault on her and her family.