Cops trace sex offender via social media platform.
Back in December 2013, a young lady got raped at a university in the US. Despite providing detailed information, the authorities failed to take any action. However, things took a turn when the accused reached out to her with unsettling messages years later.
For over a decade, Shannon Keeler attempted to convince law enforcement to take her seriously about being raped and punish the alleged perpetrator. It wasn't until recently that he was apprehended, following her receiving distraught messages from him.
The incident occurred on December 15, 2013, when Keeler decided to report a sexual assault to the authorities in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. She had attended a college party with her friends to celebrate finishing their exams. In her affidavit, Keeler claimed that a college student followed her back to her room after the party. She was already wary of him due to his behavior at the gathering.
He attempted to lure her friend with $20 to get alone with Keeler, but she turned him down and instead urged him to leave. Just ten minutes later, Keeler opened her door after hearing a knock, expecting a friend. However, it was the perpetrator who entered, kissing and sexually violating her. Apologizing after the assault, the rapist exited her apartment. Keeler then sent a panic-stricken message to her friend, which read, "OMG, please help me," in the affidavit.
Despite her efforts to report the crime, participate in a rape test, and identify witnesses who saw the suspect that night, the investigation went nowhere for many years.
"I raped you"
It wasn't until five years later, in May 2020, that Keeler stumbled upon a series of disturbing messages in her Facebook inbox. The man she accuses of assaulting her had allegedly sent them in December 2019, admitting to the crime. "I need to hear your voice," wrote the now 31-year-old. "I need to know if I did it or not." Another read, "So I raped you." And a third message stated, "I will never do this to anyone again."
After media attention on the case, investigators were able to trace a cell phone number connected to the Facebook profile. In June 2021, a warrant for sexual assault was issued against the man, who was then residing abroad. Following this, Interpol issued an international wanted notice for him.
The authorities reported in April that the accused had been arrested in Metz, France, in connection with stolen goods. The US is expected to submit an extradition request.
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After the unsettling messages, Keeler reported the incident to the police in the USA. The international cooperation between law enforcement agencies led to the arrest of the accused in Metz, France.
Subsequently, the USA initiated an extradition request for the individual charged with raping Keeler, based on the evidence gathered from the social media platform and the messages he sent.
Source: www.ntv.de
