American Extradited from France for Alleged 2013 College Sexual Assault

Ian Cleary, accused of assaulting a Pennsylvania student and sending a Facebook confession, has been returned to the U.S. after a three-year international search.

Ian Cleary, 31, was extradited from France to the U.S. after being accused of sexually assaulting a fellow Gettysburg College student in 2013.
Cleary allegedly sent the victim, Shannon Keeler, disturbing Facebook messages in 2019, including 'So I raped you,' which prompted authorities to reopen the case in 2021.
Keeler reported the assault at the time, underwent a rape exam, and gathered evidence, but local prosecutors initially declined to pursue charges.
Cleary was apprehended in Metz, France, in April 2024 after a three-year international search and held in custody pending extradition approval by French courts.
The case highlights systemic challenges in prosecuting campus sexual assaults and the perseverance of survivors seeking justice.