(KCEN) A judge accepted a plea deal Monday that was offered to former Baylor fraternity president Jacob Anderson after he pleaded no contest in a sexual assault case.
In exchange for being charged with rape, Anderson pleaded no contest to unlawful restraint. Under the deal, Anderson will receive three years probation, a $400 fine and he will have to attend mandatory counseling. He will not be required to register as a sex offender or serve any jail time.
Anderson, who was president of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity, was accused of drugging and raping a fellow student in 2016.
According to the arrest warrant, the woman who was assaulted accepted a drink of punch at a party in the frat house before becoming disoriented and confused. Waco police Sgt. Patrick Swanton said Anderson led the woman to the backyard where nobody was allowed.
The woman reported that Anderson raped her behind a barn area and repeatedly assaulted her until she blacked out.
The victim’s attorney, Vic Feazell, said he is disappointed in the judge’s decision.
“Our entire system failed this young woman,” he said. “In 40 years of law practice, I’ve never seen anything like this.”
Assistant McLennan County District Attorney Hilary LaBorde released a statement after the plea was accepted which stated in part “Conflicting evidence and statements exist in this case making the original allegation difficult to prove beyond a reasonable doubt,” LaBorde said. “As a prosecutor, my goal is no more victims. I believe that is best accomplished when there is a consequence rather than an acquittal. This offender is now on felony probation and will receive sex offender treatment, a result which was not guaranteed, nor likely, had we gone to trial.”
LaBorde, in her statement, said she understands why the public is upset and urged those who are bothered by the outcome to “consider their source of information.”
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