Campus Assault Case: Facebook Message Leads to Extradition and Guilty Plea

Ian Cleary, 32, is set to be sentenced for sexually assaulting Shannon Keeler at Gettysburg College a decade ago. Cleary's extradition and guilty plea follow a renewed pursuit of justice, sparked by a Facebook message admitting the crime.

The attack occurred in 2013 when Cleary sneaked into Keeler's dorm and assaulted her. After the incident, Cleary completed his education in Silicon Valley and worked at Tesla before living overseas. In 2021, Keeler's story, shared with the Associated Press, reignited efforts to charge Cleary.

Cleary's lawyer claims he was unaware of charges while homeless, but prosecutors argue he evaded capture. He ultimately pleaded guilty to second-degree sexual assault and faces up to ten years in prison. Keeler called the legal proceedings a surreal culmination of a long battle for justice.