Man Sentenced for 2013 Sexual Assault

A man was sentenced to two to four years in prison on Monday after sending a disturbing Facebook message to a woman he assaulted in 2013. His message read, “That’s why I raped you.”

This sentence comes more than a year after Ian Cleary was extradited from France to Pennsylvania for the assault, and nearly 12 years after the victim reported the incident to authorities.

The judge considered Cleary’s guilty plea, his expressed remorse, and his long-standing mental health issues, resulting in a sentence that fell below state guidelines. Cleary, now 32, claimed he sent the messages as part of a 12-step program aimed at making amends.

In court, victim Shannon Keeler spoke out about how the message had reopened old wounds. She emphasized how the system, which was supposed to protect her, had instead shielded her attacker.

“This isn’t just my story. This is the story of countless women,” Keeler said during a powerful statement that lasted about ten minutes. She detailed her long struggle to bring charges against Cleary, highlighting the reluctance of prosecutors to pursue campus sexual assault cases.

Cleary could have faced up to 10 years in prison for the assault, with both sides initially advocating for a four to eight year sentence.

Keeler’s attorney, Andrea Levy, expressed disappointment, stating that the sentence was “less than expected and certainly less than what he deserved,” but noted a sense of relief now that the case has concluded.

Keeler reported that Cleary entered her dorm on a night before winter break when few were left on campus, barging into her room and assaulting her. At the time, she was just 18 years old and in her first semester at Gettysburg College.

Chief Justice Kevin Hess remarked that any parent of a college-aged child would find such a crime “horrifying.” However, he acknowledged Cleary’s admission of guilt and his desire for forgiveness, suggesting that without this, the case may not have reached this point after so many years.

Post-assault, Cleary left Gettysburg and graduated from college in California’s Silicon Valley. He later completed a master’s degree and found work at Tesla before relocating abroad.

In 2019, Cleary reached out to Keeler via Facebook. This prompted her to alert law enforcement several months later, which led to the reopening of the investigation. In 2021, Keeler provided her insights into the challenges of prosecuting such cases in an Associated Press article.

Cleary was indicted shortly after the article was published, following a three-year manhunt that ended with his extradition from Metz, France, where he was detained on unrelated charges.

In Monday’s hearing, Cleary stood a short distance from Keeler and apologized to her and her father, stating, “I am fully committed to seeking mental health and other treatment in the future.” His family chose not to comment during the trial and missed many court appearances.

Keeler mentioned that in the hours after the assault, Cleary tried to persuade authorities to take action against him.

Reflecting on the moment in court, Keeler remarked, “I’ve been thinking about this moment for 12 years,” describing it as surreal.

Despite combined efforts by U.S. and European authorities to locate Cleary after his indictment, he remained elusive until his arrest in an unrelated incident.

Defense attorney John Abom argued that Cleary was sometimes without a home and was unaware of the charges against him. However, Adams County District Attorney Brian Sinnett expressed skepticism about Cleary’s alleged ignorance of being pursued.

Typically, the Associated Press does not name individuals who report sexual assault unless they choose to come forward, as Keeler bravely did.

In her closing remarks, Keeler noted the failures of the system that let her down a decade ago, stating, “The system that failed me 10 years ago is finally being held accountable, but at a cost. Evidence has been lost. Time has passed.” She pointed out that the rape kit results from that night had been destroyed by the time charges were filed.

“My life has moved on, but the shock has never gone away,” she concluded, sharing the ongoing impact on herself and her family.