Editor’s note: This story includes mention of sexual violence or assault. Resources are available here.
Monroe County Judge Valeri Haughton dismissed all charges except one count of rape for IU student Noah Apgar, who was arrested Sept. 17.
Apgar was accused of allegedly raping two women on different occasions within the same week. He was initially charged with five counts of rape — level three felonies — one count of strangulation and one count of criminal confinement — both level six felonies.
A level six felony can result in a minimum of six months of imprisonment with no fine to a maximum of 2.5 years of imprisonment with up to a $10,000 fine. A level three felony can result in three to16 years of imprisonment.
Haughton dismissed the charges due to “evidentiary issues.” A motion to dismiss submitted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Rebecca K. Helmer on Oct. 2 stated, “the State is unable to meet its burden of proof concerning these counts at this time.”
A burden of proof is the standard of which a claim must satisfy to be legally established as a fact.
The court is still proceeding with one rape charge which pertains to the second victim, according to Chief Deputy Prosecutor Jeff Kehr. A pretrial conference is scheduled for Nov. 25.
A list of resources is available here if you or someone you know has experienced sexual harassment or abuse.
More information on the period commonly known as the “Red Zone” can be found here.
