Post by : Rameen Ariff

PENNSYLVANIA – After over ten years following the unsettling 2013 assault at Gettysburg College, Ian Cleary has been sentenced to two to four years in prison for the sexual assault of a fellow student. Cleary's admission of guilt came in the form of a Facebook message stating, “So I raped you.” This delayed justice was achieved thanks to the relentless advocacy by victim Shannon Keeler, who sought accountability amidst years of insufficient action from authorities.

The case gained national attention in 2019 when Cleary's incriminating message resurfaced, reopening old wounds for Keeler. It ignited discussions around the justice system's failures in protecting campus crime victims. Cleary, now 32, was extradited from France in 2024 and pleaded guilty to second-degree sexual assault earlier this year.

During sentencing, Senior Judge Kevin Hess remarked on the severity of the crime, especially concerning the safety of college-aged women. He noted that Cleary's expression of remorse and guilty plea were factors in imposing a sentence below state guidelines. Cleary had previously fled the U.S. and found work for Tesla in California while earning a master’s degree.

In court, Cleary directly apologized to Keeler and his father, acknowledging his mental health struggles. He declared his commitment to pursuing treatment, stating, “I’m committed to getting treatment for mental health and stuff like that as I go forward.” The case had faced many delays due to various prosecutorial hesitations regarding evidence.

Keeler, now an outspoken advocate for sexual violence survivors, delivered an emotionally charged victim impact statement. Reflecting on her ordeal, she stated, “The system meant to protect me protected you instead,” highlighting her 12-year fight for justice. While the verdict brought some closure, she noted that the destruction of critical evidence over time had severely impacted her case.

Cleary's sentencing concludes a drawn-out chapter in the Gettysburg College case. Although he faced a maximum potential of ten years, his sentence was mitigated due to his guilty plea and mental health history. Prosecutors emphasized that the delay in justice had cost Keeler valuable years of peace.

After years of searching, U.S. and European authorities apprehended Cleary in Metz, France, in 2024 on unrelated charges. Adams County District Attorney Brian Sinnett expressed that while they couldn’t prove Cleary evaded arrest intentionally, “the timing raises questions.”

Keeler, who previously shared her experiences in an Associated Press feature emphasizing the hesitance of prosecutors in tackling campus sexual offenses, expressed hope that her case would catalyze reform. “The system that failed me a decade ago finally delivered accountability, but at a cost,” she remarked. Though her life has moved forward, the emotional toll will remain.

As Cleary begins his sentence, the case serves as a stark reminder of the arduous path many survivors must traverse to secure justice and the critical reforms still required to amplify every victim's voice.

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