Student assualted after Drag Ball

A female student was sexually assaulted on Woodland Street Sunday morning. Lawrence Lee Willis of Oberlin has been charged with the crime.

Willis is being held at Lorain County Jail. His bail is set at $50,000 cash.

According to a release issued by the Oberlin College Safety and Security Office, Willis allegedly followed the woman from Drag Ball. The assailant made several lewd remarks before cornering the woman and fondling her breast. The woman screamed and ran to the safety of Barrows Hall. Students in the dorm unwittingly held the door open for the assailant, who continued to chase the woman.

"Individuals may have rolled out the welcome carpet," Director of Safety and Security Keith James said. "He has been frequenting dorms."

Security officers were notified of the incident. At 4:10 a.m., Safety and Security Officer Gary Kriesen responded to a call concerning a man talking to two women in Tappan Square. Kriesen noticed that the man matched the suspect's description. He was later identified by the victim.

Willis was charged with two felony counts of Gross Sexual Imposition and one felony count of Abduction. The Office of Safety and Security ordered him not to return to the Oberlin campus.

Willis had recently been charged with the theft of a car from the Lord-Saunders lot and released on bond. According to James, he is being investigated in connection with the Feb. 8 assault behind Keep Cottage.