Man Arrested on Rape Charges

On Oct. 19,  a man was arrested on the counts of both second and fourth degree rape charges by the Clay County Police Department in Vermillion, SD.

Gavin Jensen, a 19-year-old, turned himself in to police custody shortly after a warrant was placed on him by the local police department on Oct. 16 in connections to an alleged sexual assault that occurred in the North Campus Residence halls earlier this academic year.

On Sept. 9, it was reported to University Police Officials that Jensen had allegedly sexually assaulted another USD student in the early morning hours that day. It was reported to University Police that Jensen was an acquaintance to the victim of this crime.

After his arrest on Oct. 19, Jensen was released from the Clay County Jail on a $15,000 cash bond bail.

Jensen could be facing anywhere from one to 10 years in prison as well as a $10,000 fine because his alleged crimes are considered to be class c felonies in a South Dakota Court of Law.

Jensen’s first court appearance will be at the Vermillion Court House on Oct. 31 at 10 a.m.

This is only one of the six sexual assaults that have been reported on USD’s campus since the beginning of the 2023-2024 academic year.

For questions or concerns regarding sexual assault prevention and awareness resources on USD’s campus, please visit https://www.usd.edu/About/Departments-Offices-and-Resources/Human-Resources/EOAA-Title-IX. To report an incident on campus one may report it on the Everbridge app or by contacting UPD at (605) 658-6199.