Student arrested on suspicion of sexual assaults

SANJOSE » A San Jose State student suspected of sexually assaulting two men in his on- campus housing unit was arrested earlier this month, the university announced. The university issued a campuswide release Wednesday regarding the arrest. SJSU officials said that Luis Venegas, 21, a fourth-year student at the university, was arrested March 5 on suspicion of sexual assault, assault with the intent to commit sex crimes, false imprisonment and sexual battery, according to university officials.

Venegas has been formally charged with five fel- ony counts related to the sexual assault allegations, according to the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office. Venegas appeared in court Thursday morning but did not enter a plea.

University police said it investigated the sexual assault of three people, but prosecutors have filed charges in cases involving two accusers.

The sexual assaults reportedly occurred in Campus Village A, a university housing complex where Venegas had been living, according to university police. In each case being investigated, Villegas and the male accuser knew one another.

Prosecutors said at least one of the accusers is a SJSU student.

The investigation began March 3, immediately after one of the accusers contacted university police. During the course of the investigation, police say they learned of two additional victims.

Investigators believe there may be additional victims or witnesses. Anyone with information regarding this incident or this individual is asked to contact University Police Department at 408- 9242222 or Sgt. Justin Celano at 408-924-2218.

People can also submit a report anonymously through TipNow at 408337-2919 or SJSU@tipnow.org.