BATON ROUGE, La. — An 18-year-old man has been arrested and charged with sexual battery following an alleged incident that took place on the Louisiana State University (LSU) campus, according to police.
Arrest and Charges
Police identified the suspect as Bryson Couto, who was taken into custody on Monday, December 8, and booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison.
According to the arrest report, Couto is accused of inappropriately touching a female without her consent while on university grounds. The victim reported the incident to authorities shortly afterward, prompting a campus police investigation.
Investigators said that during questioning, Couto admitted to the inappropriate touching, confirming details consistent with the victim’s account.
LSU Police Investigation
The LSU Police Department handled the investigation and confirmed that the incident occurred on campus property. Officials have not released additional information about the specific location or whether the victim is a student.
University officials emphasized their ongoing commitment to maintaining a safe campus environment and encouraged students and staff to report any incidents of misconduct or assault to law enforcement or university support services.
Legal Proceedings
Couto is currently facing one count of sexual battery under Louisiana state law. As of Wednesday morning, he remains in custody pending a court appearance.
Authorities have not disclosed whether additional charges will be considered as the investigation continues.
Community Awareness
The case has prompted renewed discussion among LSU students about campus safety and awareness. Officials reminded community members that confidential counseling and advocacy services are available to victims of sexual assault and harassment through university resources.
Stay with HonkNews.com for updates on the legal proceedings and ongoing investigation into the LSU sexual battery case.