Drake University Senior Charged With Assaulting, Taping Fraternity Brother

Aug. 6, 2010— -- A Drake University senior has been charged with sexual abuse after allegedly drugging a fraternity brother and taking pictures and videos of the assaults, police said.

The suspect, 21-year-old Anthony Bertolone, a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity, turned himself in Wednesday and police in Des Moines were trying to determine if there were other victims.

"It's very possible that he could have done this to others and they would not have a clue," said Sgt. Lori Lavorato, a police spokeswoman. "We'll be looking into that."

Attempts to reach Bertolone or his attorney were unsuccessful.

Bertolone and his victim had been vacationing in the Ozarks with Bertolone's family when the victim discovered photos and video of the alleged assaults, police said. The evidence was stored on Bertolone's computer and the victim downloaded copies of the images and video into his cell phone.

"While on vacation, the victim stumbled across files on his friend's computer and realized that he was looking at himself being sexually assaulted by his friend," Lavorato said. "The video showed his friend performing sex acts on him and it was obvious that the victim was incoherent. He told police he had no recollection of any of this."

The 20-year-old victim told police he believes he was drugged and unconscious during the assaults, which date back to September. He said they were friends and fraternity brothers, and were not involved sexually.

Another Drake University fraternity, the now-banned Phi Delta Theta, was involved in a hazing scandal last year. Two students were accused of forcing a first-year student recruit to consume high amounts of Everclear, leading to the student's hospitalization with a lethal .5 blood alcohol content.

In a statement, the university said it was looking into the latest incident and cooperating with the police investigation.

"As always, Drake is dedicated to the prevention of sexual assault through education and clear, vigorously enforced policies," the statement said. "When sexual assault does occur, the university is committed to responding in ways that promote recovery for the victim and appropriate consequences for the assailant."