IU student from Greenwood arrested on rape charges, police say
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (WISH) — Indiana University Bloomington student Noah Apgar, of Greenwood, is facing multiple charges after being accused of raping two female students earlier in September.
The 20-year-old was arrested Tuesday and booked into the Monroe County Jail, where he remained Wednesday night. His bond was set at $250,000, the sheriff’s office says.
Apgar faces five counts of felony rape, one count of strangulation, and one count of criminal confinement. He initially pleaded not guilty Wednesday. A court hearing was set for next month to reconsider his bond.
Probable cause affidavits obtained by News 8 detail two women coming to Indiana University Police to report Apgar for sexual assault.
“I think it’s a huge issue,” one IU student said Wednesday, “I think being a woman on campus, it’s sort of difficult for us to walk around and feel safe in a way.”
The first victim came forward Friday, saying she had agreed to meet Agpar after the two spoke via Snapchat.
Apgar and the victim initially met at one fraternity house where he was “very aggressive,” court docs say. The victim told police Apgar said her outfit made it seem she would “get with every other guy” at the house.
Soon after, the two agreed to go to Sigma Alpha Epsilon, where he was a member until he was expelled this week. The fraternity was barred from hosting events until two days after the last rape happened.
The fraternity is also on disciplinary probation until December 2025.
Apgar cornered the victim in a bathroom inside of the house and sexually assaulted her, despite the victim asking him to stop multiple times.
According to surveillance video obtained by police, the victim ran out of the restroom looking “disheveled.”
She was then picked up by friends and taken the campus police building where a report was made and a campus-wide message was sent out.
Police believe that message is what led another victim to come forward.
“It’s encouraging that we have students coming forward and reporting to us, because that’s how we hold folks accountable, but it is a tough topic to talk about, and so I want to ensure students that we are a safe place to come to we can get you the resources you need,” IU Police Department Public Information Officer Hanna Skibba said.
The next victim told police Apgar raped her Sept. 6, one week before the previously reported rape.
The victim told police she had reluctantly agreed to meet Apgar at her sorority house, Zeta Tau Alpha.
At the house, she says he sexually assaulted her and left her bleeding, despite her repeatedly asking him to stop.
When he did stop and left the sorority house, he said “I better see you again,” court docs say.
According to Skibba, this occurrence is not uncommon for this time of year on campus and beyond.
“So we kind of call this the ‘red zone’ right now, the beginning of the school year until Thanksgiving break,” Skibba said. “We see an increase in the sexual assault reports on campus, not just here at IU, but across the country that is the trend.”
Statement
“The Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity Service Center was made aware of an allegation involving a member of our chapter at Indiana University. Upon learning of the alleged incident, SAE expelled the member and began working with the University administration. We are also fully cooperating with local law enforcement to investigate the incident and have urged all of our local members to do the same.
“Sigma Alpha Epsilon denounces all acts of sexual violence. Violence in any form does not represent the Fraternity’s values as defined by our creed, The True Gentlemen. We are committed to the well-being of our members, guests, and their respective communities. Our staff will continue to work with our chapters, university officials, and local alumni leaders to reinforce these values.”
Sigma Alpha Epsilon
Help is available for victims of domestic violence. Below is a list of suggested resources on the Domestic Violence Network website:
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233 or text START to 88788
- National Domestic Violence Hotline en español: 800-799-7233 o texto “START” al 88788
- Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence: 24-hour hotline available at 800-332-7385
- Indiana Coalition to End Sexual Assault and Human Trafficking
- La Plaza Indy
- The Julian Center
- Indiana Child Abuse Hotline: 800-800-5556
- National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-656-4673