Police Arrest Second CU Student In Sex Assault Investigation

CU: Michael O'Connor 'No Longer On Team'

Michael-O-Connor-26548322.jpg


(Photo courtesy: Boulder County S.O.)

Posted: 01/20/2011
Last Updated: 850 days ago

A second former University of Colorado football player has been arrested in connection with the sexual assault of a CU student.

Michael Theodore O’Connor, 21, of Englewood, was arrested Wednesday on a felony warrant charging him with one count of accessory to sexual assault. His bond was set at $10,000.

Michael Sipili, a CU senior and former linebacker, was arrested on Jan. 11, on a felony warrant accusing him of sexual assault as part of the same investigation.

Police have been investigating allegations against Sipili and O’Connor since Dec. 4.

"He is no longer on the team as of December," said CU spokesman Bronson Hilliard. "I cannot share disciplinary decisions concerning students."

A 22-year-old woman said that she was sexually assaulted by a man at an off-campus home. The woman said the incident happened after she and another female friend met a group of men at a downtown bar in Boulder and agreed to hang out with them at a Boulder home.

The woman said that Sipili engaged in sexual activity with her without her consent. She told police she repeatedly told him, "No" and that O’Connor was an accessory to this crime.

O'Connor's football biography was still on the CUBuffs.com site as of Jan. 9, and it said he is majoring in sociology. O'Connor is a 5-foot 11-inch, 255-pound sophomore at CU, according to his biography.

"We will not tolerate sexual misconduct at CU-Boulder, or any actions that threaten the safety of women on our campus," CU-Boulder Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Deb Coffin in a statement after Sipli's arrest last week. "I want the entire community to know that this university has learned from the difficult lessons of our past."

Police asked that anyone with information about the incident call Detective Jeremy Frenzen at 303-441-1890.

Those who have information but wish to remain anonymous can contact the Northern Colorado Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or 1-800-444-3776. Tips can also be submitted via the Crime Stoppers website at www.crimeshurt.com.


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