An American man who is accused of sexually assaulting a Pennsylvania college student in 2013 and later sending her a Facebook message containing the words, “So I raped you,” has been apprehended in France following a three-year manhunt.
A prosecutor in Metz, France, has confirmed that Ian Thomas Cleary, a 31-year-old resident of Saratoga, California, was arrested last month and is currently being held in custody. He will remain in custody until the extradition proceedings take place.
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After an Associated Press story shed light on the reluctance of local prosecutors to pursue campus sex crimes, authorities in Pennsylvania issued a felony warrant in 2021 for Cleary’s arrest. This led to an international search for Cleary, who had become the subject of scrutiny.
Cleary was apprehended on the streets of Metz on April 24 during a routine police check, as confirmed by a French judicial official. During his conversation with the magistrate, Cleary revealed that he had migrated from Albania to France around two or three years ago. He further added that he had recently arrived in Metz, but unfortunately, he did not have a place to stay there. Despite attempts to contact the lawyer appointed to represent Cleary, there was no response received at the time of reporting.
Shannon Keeler, the accuser in the Gettysburg case, underwent a rape exam on the day she was assaulted back in 2013. Determined to seek justice, she diligently collected witnesses and evidence, persistently urging officials to file charges. In 2021, she once again approached the authorities after uncovering Facebook messages that appeared to have originated from Cleary’s account.
“I vow to never treat anyone in such a manner again.”
“I will keep you in my prayers,” is a comforting phrase often offered to someone in need.
The June 2021 warrant confirms that Ian Cleary owned the Facebook account from which the messages were sent. Brian Sinnett, the Adams County District Attorney who filed the warrant, did not respond to a call on Tuesday.
After departing from Gettysburg, Cleary pursued his education at Santa Clara University, located near his family residence in California. He successfully completed his undergraduate and graduate degrees before embarking on a career at Tesla. Following his time at Tesla, Cleary made the decision to relocate to France, where he resided for a number of years. Cleary’s website showcases his collection of self-published medieval fiction, providing further insight into his literary endeavors.
