San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913

The Daily Aztec

San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913

The Daily Aztec




San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913

The Daily Aztec

No charges filed for SDSU sexual assault suspect

Francisco Paiva Sousa, the San Diego State student who was arrested last December in connection with a sexual assault reported to campus police, faces no charges from the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office.

The assault was reported to the SDSU Police Department on Dec. 7, and the 20-year-old was arrested Dec. 8 on suspicion of oral copulation with force and false imprisonment with force. According to the police, the assault occurred at 5074 College Avenue, where another sexual assault was reported in September.

Sousa posted the $100,000 bail two days after his arrest and was awaiting his arraignment date, which was scheduled for Dec. 18, but was removed from the court calendar. The case remained under investigation until Jan. 28, when it was officially rejected by the District Attorney’s Office.

Tanya Sierra, the public affairs officer to the San Diego District Attorney wrote in an email to the U-T San Diego that the office does not give details about why certain cases are rejected, but that, “… we can only file charges when we believe we can prove them beyond a reasonable doubt.”

This was one of 17 reported sexual assaults that occurred last semester at SDSU.

About the Contributor
Jamie Ballard, Managing Editor
Jamie Ballard is the managing editor of The Daily Aztec for 2016-17. She has been a member of The Daily Aztec since 2013, first as a staff writer and then as a news editor. Her work has been featured at Esquire.com, San Diego CityBeat, Student Universe, and several other sites. Jamie also works as an editorial assistant for Mike Sager, writer-at-large for Esquire and founder of The Sager Group. Follow her at @BallardJamie23 or email her at me@thedailyaztec.com
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San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913
No charges filed for SDSU sexual assault suspect