By Jade Mardirosian
Staff Writer
A Baylor student was charged with sexual assault on May 4, stemming from an incident that occurred off-campus in January. A warrant was issued for Robert Cole on May 4, and Cole turned himself into the McLennan County Jail on May 9. Cole was released on $25,000 bond on May 10. According to the public information release, the victim of the assault was a known acquaintance of Cole, 20. Cole is no longer enrolled at Baylor, according to Lori Fogleman, director of media relations. The incident occurred during a party at a residence located in the 1200 block of Wood Avenue.
According to the affidavit submitted for the arrest warrant, large amounts of alcohol were consumed at the party. The affidavit also stated that the victim became intoxicated and “was stumbling around and was embarrassing herself” when a friend took her into a bedroom so she could lie down. The affidavit further states that the victim “was at the point of passing out” when a man got into bed with her and sexually assaulted her. The affidavit further states that the victim was unaware at the time what had happened, but was told the next day what had been done to her by the man.
According to the Waco District Attorney’s office, the case is still open and pending.
The Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network, defines acquaintance or “date” assault as “coercive sexual activities that occur against a person’s will by means of force, violence, duress or fear of bodily injury” and “are imposed upon them by someone they know.”