UMass Police to review security checkpoints after on-campus rape

AMHERST, Mass. (WWLP) - UMass Police say they will conduct a thorough review of its security procedures after a student told police she was raped inside her dorm room. 

Four Pittsfield teenagers are now facing multiple counts rape, after an 18-year-old UMass freshman told police they gang raped her inside her dorm room during the early morning hours of October 13th.

Emmanuel Bile, 18, Justin King, 18, Adam Liccardi, 18, and Caleb Womack, 17, were arrested last Friday after a week of investigations. 

“At points during the attack, the victim was crying, the victim had to use the words no,” said Jennifer Suhl, the Northwestern District Attorney’s Domestic Violence Sexual Assault Unit Chief. 

Suhl said the victim had consumed large amounts of alcohol and was in and out of consciousness during the attack.  The victim also knew the alleged attackers who contacted her through text messages earlier in the night asking to visit.  UMass policy requires all first year students to live on campus and they have to follow certain security guidelines when signing in guests. 

“Well you have to have your student ID they have to have a formal ID. And usually you don't sign in someone that you don't know,” said UMass sophomore, Kristina Paolini. 

Umass Police Chief John Horvath told 22News the security monitors who work the front desk at residence halls are students, and are trained rigorously before the semester starts.

After 8pm all guests must show a license and be signed in by a student before entering any on-campus residence hall.  It’s something police say three of the four suspects did before making their way up to the victim's room.  Chief Horvath said the victim was not present when the suspects arrived and they are still unsure who let the suspects into the victim’s dorm room. 

“I usually think that the signing-in process is pretty safe. I haven't really felt that it wasn't at all, but after hearing that I'm really concerned about it now,” said UMass sophomore, Mackenzie Jefferson. 

Dean of Students Enku Gelaye says students are responsible for their guests and whoever signed in the suspects could face sanctions. 

“Honestly there's so many people who go here it's hard to tell if someone doesn't belong here,” said UMass freshman David Coscia. 

All four suspects denied the charges at their arraignments Monday. Eastern Hampshire District Court Judge Mary Hurley set bail at $10,000 each.

In 2011, 13 sexual assaults were reported to UMass Police.