University Police arrest assault suspect

An 18-year-old Cape Girardeau man was arrested about 5 p.m. Wednesday by Southeast Missouri State University Police in connection with several alleged assaults on campus.

According to News Bureau Director Ann Hayes and online court records, James Griswell was charged with three counts of third-degree assault. Griswell, who is not a Southeast student, is in the Cape Girardeau County Jail in Jackson on a $5,500 cash-only bond, according to the Sheriff's Office.

Doug Richards, director of University Police, said six incidents were reported over a four- to five-day period. His department received a description and information that led them to the suspect.

Griswell is listed as a sex offender on the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Office website.

According court records, Griswell pleaded guilty to misdemeanor first-degree sexual misconduct in connection with a February 2012 incident and received a six-month suspended sentence with two years of supervised probation. He also pleaded guilty to misdemeanor first-degree sexual misconduct in relation to a June 2010 incident, for which he received a six-month suspended sentence and two years of supervised probation. He pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of unlawful use of drug paraphernalia in connection with a March 2012 incident for which he was fined $250.

A campus alert was posted on buildings around Southeast Missouri State saying on Nov. 3 and 4, reports were made to University Police of a suspicious person approaching people walking near Houck Place. According to the flier, the person was riding a BMX-style bicycle and was described as white, male, wearing a blue striped hoodie and blue jean style pants and has long, brown hair.

The flyer said he approached two people near Houck Place and the Bellevue/Pacific Street area. "As he passes, he grabs or pat's the subject's buttock," the flier said.

The flier reminds students to never walk alone, walk the lighted corridor and keep doors locked. Richards also advises students to be aware of their surroundings, and if they see anything unusual or any suspicious activity, report it to university police.

Richards said "the method of operation" made this "an unusual type of incident."

He said police are continuing to gather information, but the investigation is partly closed. Richards said this was "an isolated type of situation."