Student charged with sex assault
April 24, 2013
Erie Police charged a Mercyhurst University freshman on April 17 with charges of sexually assaulting an Erie woman near the Mercyhurst campus in January.
Charged with aggravated indecent assault and indecent assault was Joseph Bostrom, 18, of Baden, Pa., according to court records. Following arraignment, he was released on $25,000 bond.
The criminal complaint against Bostrom says a young woman reported the alleged incident to Erie Police on Jan. 20.
The victim told police she had passed out that night and then awoke with her pants and underclothes off and the alleged assaulter pant-less trying to put on a condom. She told police she later learned from a mutual acquaintance that Bostrom had sexually touched her, according to the complaint.
While being interviewed by a police detective on April 11, Bostrom allegedly admitted to the allegations that he assaulted the woman while she was unconscious, police said in the criminal complaint.
Bostrom was an offensive lineman on the Mercyhurst football team during the 2012 season.
Gerard Tobin, Ph.D., Mercyhurst vice president for student life, said he does not know Bostrom’s status as an athlete.
The student handbook defines expulsion as a possible resolution when a student faces a claim of sexual harassment or sexual assault. Tobin said all information will be considered before a final judgment has been made.