UPDATED: Vermilion man arrested on multiple charges for assault reported in Coyote Village
The University Police Department is continuing to investigate an assault that occurred in Coyote Village on Jan. 18.
The Vermillion Police Department said VPD officers assisted UPD with an assault investigation at Coyote Village, and later arrested 33-year-old Jason Marker at his home in Vermillion.
Marker was charged with aggravated assault, kidnapping in the second degree and trespassing. He bonded out of the jail the following day on $5,000.
Tena Heraldson, the director of communications for USD, said in an email that UPD and VPD were called to the residence hall around 9:30 p.m. after residents reported a woman screaming for help who appeared to be bleeding from injuries.
“The woman was taken to the Vermillion hospital where she was treated and released,” Heraldson said.
UPD Lt. Jef Rice said the 35-year-old female victim was not abducted or taken off campus.
“We’re still very much in the investigative stage of things,” Rice said.
Under South Dakota law, a second degree kidnapping charge means that a victim is held against his or her will with the intent to inflict bodily harm. A second degree kidnapping charge is considered a Class 3 felony unless serious bodily injury is done to the victim, in which case it is aggravated kidnapping in the second degree and is a Class 1 felony.
A Class 3 felony carries a potential of up to 15 years in prison and $30,000 in fines. A Class 1 felony carries a potential of up to 50 years in prison and $50,000 in fines.
John Geske, the assistant director of University Housing, said all of USD’s buildings are “very safe.”
“Our buildings are very safe and secure as they always have been, and we continue to practice our good standards as far as safety and security are concerned,” he said.
Speaking about student safety overall, John Howe, the associate dean of Student Services, said all students should be cautious about who they hold the door open for when they enter their residence halls.
“Know who you’re letting in. If you know this person lives in your assigned building – they might be your neighbor – don’t shut the door on them. But if you’re uncertain, let that door shut. That’s why the doors are locked,” he said.
Howe said all students have a role to play in making campus a safer place.
“Largely, it really is everyone has a role to play in creating safe communities. In all things, we need to be cognizant of our surroundings and need to be careful, but I think just keeping a heightened sense of security is a good thing,” Howe said. “Keeping (your dorm) doors locked, making sure those tailgaters don’t happen and making good decisions. I think that’s the key to safety.”
Volante News Editor Trent Opstedahl contributed to this report.
