Four Arrested for Alleged Rape of UMass Amherst Student

AMHERST, Mass. – Four men from Pittsfield have been arrested for the rape of an 18-year-old student at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

 

The attack is alleged to have occurred in the victim’s residence hall room in the early morning hours of Saturday, Oct. 13, 2012. The alleged perpetrators are known to the victim and are not UMass Amherst students. Charged with rape are Emmanuel Bile, 18, Justin King, 18, Adam Licciardi, 18, and Caleb Womack, 17.

 

Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy said, “Maintaining a safe learning and living community is of the upmost importance to our campus. We will not tolerate this violent behavior. The victim and her family are receiving support from our campus resources. I know that I speak on behalf of our university community when I say that they are all in our thoughts during this difficult time.”

 

UMass Amherst Police Chief John Horvath said that upon notification of the crime, his department began an immediate investigation and determined that the general campus community was not in danger. The Pittsfield men were arrested by a team made up of members of the UMass Amherst Police, Pittsfield Police and the Massachusetts State Police Detectives Unit assigned to the Berkshire County District Attorney’s Office.

 

Horvath said, “The safety of our students is paramount. Following the incident, we communicated with security personnel and residence hall staff to reiterate current security procedures. In addition, while campus security measures have generally proved effective in the past, the university will conduct a comprehensive review of security in our residence halls. The campus is providing support to the victim and her family through our well-established resources on campus. In addition, we will redouble our efforts to educate all members of our community about protecting their safety.”