FSU Reeling After Two Sexual Assaults in One Week

This article was a collaborative effort between Cassie Conklin, Managing Editor, and Gwen Schemm, Editor-in-Chief.

Frostburg State University and the surrounding off-campus housing were the site of two sexual assaults this past week. One case, involving Jamal Bernard Simms, who is not a student occurred on campus in Annapolis Hall on Tuesday, Nov. 19. The victim was also not a student. The second, involving Keion Lebrant Green, occurred on Sunday, Nov. 17 at an off-campus residence. Both Green and the victim are current FSU students.

Jamal Bernard Simms Case

At 11:38 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 20, the campus community received a BURG alert which indicated students, faculty, and staff should turn their attention to their email inboxes. Therein, an announcement from FSUPD Chief Cynthia Smith reported Jamal Bernard Simms, a non-student, was wanted in connection to a home invasion in Frostburg and a sexual assault of a non-student in Annapolis Hall the prior day.

Simms, a resident of Capitol Heights, Maryland, was wanted on a warrant from Prince George’s County at the time of Chief Smith’s email. According to Maryland public records, Simms has been charged with several crimes including assault in the first and second degree, home invasion, burglary in the third and fourth degree, and trespassing. Simms has twice violated protective orders.

The campus community was alerted of Simms’ apprehension at 9:48 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 21 via email from Chief Smith. Information regarding Simms’ crimes in Allegany County are not available online, says the District Court Clerk, as the case is currently “locked.” It is unclear as to when those details will be made available. As of press time, Simms is still being held awaiting trial.

Keion Lebrant Green Case

Keion Lebrant Green, an FSU student, is accused of second–degree rape, perverted practice, and assault in the second degree. His victim, also an FSU student, reported the sexual assault occurred between 5:00 and 6:00 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 17. Green is from Waldorf, Maryland.

According to the victim’s statement, she picked Green up from an off-campus residence the evening of Saturday, Nov. 16 for a party which was to be held at her own off-campus residence. As the victim prepared a meal, Green waited in the living room for other guests to arrive. When others did not arrive, the victim made “awkward” small talk and eventually agreed to watch a documentary with Green and subsequently fell asleep. She awoke to Green sexually assaulting her and described the attack in explicit detail to Allegany County’s Combined Criminal Investigation (C3I) Unit and the arresting officer, Detective Vincent Benson.

Green reportedly remained at the off-campus residence until the victim’s roommate came home in the early hours of the morning. After the victim showed her roommate the bruises left by Green, the victim’s roommate “used mace and a long hard object and threatened Green with them until he left.” The victim made contact with a Forensic Nurse Examiner on Sunday, Nov. 17 and a Sexual Assault Examination Kit was conducted.

Following the incident, Green sent several incriminating text messages to the victim and attempted to persuade her to meet in person to discuss the incident.

The Frostburg State University Police Department alerted C3I to the incident on Thursday, Nov. 21 and an investigation commenced. An arrest warrant for Green was issued the following day, Friday, Nov. 22, and Green was arrested at 4:35 p.m. Green lived in Frederick Hall, but it is unclear whether he was arrested on campus or off.

The campus community became aware of allegations against Green from an article published by the Cumberland Times News on Nov. 22nd.

Keion Green stood for a preliminary bail hearing on Monday, Nov. 25 at 11:00 a.m. According to public records, bail was set at $10,000, but Green has not yet posted that amount. His next appearance in court for a preliminary hearing will be on Friday, Dec. 20 at 1:00 p.m. at the Allegany County District Courthouse.

On-Campus Resources

If you, or someone you know, is the victim of a sexual assault, there are many on-campus resources available to offer support.

For sexual misconduct, relationship violence, and/or stalking, students may report to the Office of Gender Equity led by Title IX Coordinator Dr. Benjamin Brauer by dialing (301) 687-3035 or by reporting online at www.frostburg.edu/titleix/

All members of the campus community are also encouraged to report crimes to the Frostburg State University Police Department by dialing (301) 687-4222 for emergencies.

The Brady Health Center lists multiple resources on their website at www.frostburg.edu/brady-health, including support groups for those who have been sexually assaulted.