A 20-year-old sophomore was arrested on a charge of committing a sex crime at the Sandhu Center on Tuesday, Sept. 29.

Joshua Becerra is accused of groping a female student acquaintance “for the purposes of sexual gratification” while the two were hanging out at a room inside the Sandhu Center, said Sgt. Dan Adams, Orange Police Department public information officer.

In addition to the sexual battery charges, the police have charged Becerra with one count of false imprisonment.

“The suspect continued his advances and did not immediately let the victim leave the room,” Adams said.

The victim was not raped, Adams said.

Police estimate that Becerra tried to force the victim into having sex with him at about 1:15 a.m. The victim reported the incident to Public Safety at about 2:52 a.m., shortly after Becerra left the room, according to Public Safety’s incident log.

Public Safety Chief Randy Burba could not be reached for comment because he is traveling over the weekend.

Becerra, who posted bail Wednesday and was released from the Orange County Jail in Santa Ana, did not respond to requests for comment.

This is the second time in as many weeks that an act of violence has happened at the Sandhu Center. On Sept. 20, senior Connor McGinn was assaulted by a group of students on the driveway leading into the building.

A text-message with the San Diego native’s picture – downloaded off his Facebook page – circulated among students Thursday morning, warning that the man in the attached picture was arrested for a sex crime. The text message, which did not mention Becerra by name, also alleged that he is allowed to live on campus and attend classes.

But resident advisors at the Sandhu Center have said that they were told to look out for Becerra, because he is barred from being at the Sandhu Center.


The source of the message could not be verified as of time of print.

Jerry Price, dean of students, would not comment on the details of Becerra’s case, citing federal privacy laws protecting student records.

Without naming Becerra or talking about a specific case, Price outlined what Chapman does in cases where students are accused of committing violent acts on campus.

“We have the authority to take interim action pending a [student conduct] hearing if we believe that people or property is at risk,” Price said.

For example, the university may prevent a student from living on campus but allow him to attend classes. The student’s campus activities could also be limited to going to class, the library and the dorm room, Price said. Price would not comment on the consequences Becerra may face.

“On one hand, we have to protect the [victim]. On the other hand, if we believe the student doesn’t pose a risk, we don’t want to disrupt a student from going to class as well,” Price said.

It is not clear whether Becerra has been prevented from attending class. Becerra is taking four classes this semester, according to his Facebook page.

Typically under Chapman’s rules, students who may be expelled or suspended have a right to a hearing process through the student conduct board.

“Typically, the ramifications on cases involving violence are very severe,” Price said.


Contact this reporter: martin.syjuco@thepantheronline.com