DWU student arrested on rape charge

Mitchell police arrested a 23-year-old man Monday for rape of a person incapable of giving consent.

Kristopher Wilson, of Lawrence, Kan., allegedly had sex with an adult female who was highly intoxicated and unconscious at the time.

Wilson is a student at Dakota Wesleyan University, where the incident allegedly occurred during the early morning hours Sunday.

“It’s not a common occurrence to have on campus here,” said Mitchell Department of Public Safety Detective Lt. Don Everson. “It might be common other places, but not this university.”

According to Everson, the victim and the suspect were acquainted.

The incident was reported by Avera Queen of Peace Hospital, as is required when a rape is suspected.

Everson said DWU has been cooperative with the investigation.

DWU Vice President of University Relations Lori Essig confirmed that Wilson is a student at the university and was living on campus at the time of the incident.

“We haven’t dealt with anything like this in our recent history,” Essig said. “I can assure you that the campus life disciplinary team will be dealing with this in a timely manner.”

“At the very least, Kris will no longer be living on campus,” Essig said, noting the charge of rape is sufficient grounds for that action.

Information was sent to the students and faculty of DWU to let them know this is believed to be an isolated incident and that a person is in custody.

“We wanted to make sure everyone knew about the situation and that a person was in custody because of it and that our campus was safe,” Essig said.

According to Essig, counselors are available for students who want to talk about the situation.

Wilson is being held at the Davison County Jail on a $5,000 cash bond and will likely be arraigned today.

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