Ex-Gettysburg College student-athlete who texted ‘So I raped you’ to alleged victim hires lawyer to review plea deal
Ex-Gettysburg College student-athlete Ian Cleary has made headlines once again as he was seen in prison photos for the first time since hiring a new lawyer to review the plea deal for his alleged rape of a female freshman. Cleary, now 32 years old, made the decision to hire a private attorney to review a potential plea deal negotiated by Pennsylvania public defenders on his behalf. The former Division III hockey goalie is accused of raping a college freshman in her Gettysburg College dorm room back in 2013.
The plea deal had been in the works, with Cleary’s parents urging him to seek legal counsel from a private attorney. The Adams County District Court heard about this development during a recent court session. The victim, Shannon Keeler, who was just 18 years old at the time of the alleged assault, has been fighting for justice for over a decade.
Keeler recounts the night of the incident, where Cleary followed her home after a frat party, making inappropriate remarks and being touchy. Fortunately, Keeler was accompanied by a male friend on her way back to her dorm and made it home safely. However, she later heard a knock on her door and assumed it was her friend, only to discover Cleary standing there. He allegedly raped her in her dorm room before fleeing the scene.
Keeler immediately reported the assault to the authorities and underwent a rape test to support her claims. However, it wasn’t until 2021, when Cleary sent her disturbing Facebook messages confessing to the rape, that investigators decided to pursue justice. In the messages, Cleary attempted to rationalize his actions, claiming he was under the influence and had to catch a plane. He expressed remorse but also a desire to hear Keeler’s voice.
After years of fighting for justice, Keeler successfully lobbied Pennsylvania authorities to issue a felony warrant for Cleary’s arrest in 2021. Cleary had left campus following the assault in 2013 and never returned, eventually graduating from Santa Clara University. He worked at Tesla before moving to France to pursue a lifestyle of travel and writing.
Cleary was arrested in France in 2024 after a lengthy pursuit, extradited to the US in January, and appeared in court for the first time since his arrest. He could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted and is scheduled to appear in court again on July 17.
The case serves as a reminder of the importance of seeking justice for victims of sexual assault. If you have been sexually assaulted and live in New York, you can call 1-800-942-6906 for free and confidential crisis counseling. If you live outside the state, you can dial the 24/7 National Sexual Assault hotline at 1-800-656-4673.
