Two sexual assaults reported at EWU, just one week into classes

Classes at Eastern Washington University began just this week, but two sexual assaults of students already have been reported. Police have a suspect in each case.

The first incident took place around 2 a.m. Sept. 16 when a female student was walking back to her apartment on North 11th Street in Cheney, according to court documents. She told police a man who lived in her building came outside and said “he was God and was going to make her his wife.”

He then grabbed her, tried to kiss her and said he was going to rape her, she told police. She was able to break away and call 911.

Cheney police responded and arrested Jesus A. Fregoso, 26, on suspicion of second-degree attempted rape. He remains in Spokane County Jail.

Cheney police Sgt. Rick Begthol said Fregoso has had several police contacts in the past few years where he appeared delusional or disoriented.

The other reported sexual assault took place on campus Sunday following an event at the University Recreation Center. EWU Police Deputy Chief Gary Gasseling said a male student followed a female student back to her dormitory claiming he lived there.

“He became aggressive with her” and groped her in the building’s lobby, Gasseling said.

The woman called police, who cited the student for fourth-degree assault with sexual motivation.

No other sexual assaults have been reported on campus since those incidents, but Gasseling said the “first four to six weeks” of school can be busy for campus police.