First-year student arrested on two felony charges last month

The University of Richmond Police Department arrested first-year Anthony Madrigal on Feb. 13 on two felony charges of abduction and forcible sodomy. 

The crimes occurred on Dec. 7, 2018, according to the Supreme Court of Virginia's online case information system. 

“These charges relate to an incident that occurred on campus in December of 2018," Cynthia Price, UR director of media and public relations, wrote in an email. "In addition to the active criminal investigation, there is a separate active Title IX investigation."

Madrigal, a first-year from Oakland, California, was arrested by URPD detective Tim Meacham, the lead investigator on the case. Madrigal was taken into the custody of the Richmond Sheriff’s Office the same day he was arrested by URPD, university police chief David McCoy said.

“Because of the nature and the severity of these charges, we took him to lock-up," McCoy said. 

Suspects are then processed and brought before the magistrate. It is up to the magistrate to decide what they want to do with the person at that point, McCoy said. 

Madrigal has met the conditions of his bond and is awaiting his next court date, McCoy said. 

Although McCoy could not provide the exact conditions of Madrigal’s bond, bond conditions are court-imposed requirements that defendants on pretrial release must follow until their case is resolved.

“He’s met conditions of his bond, which we asked that they be fairly significant because of the nature of the charges," McCoy said. 

According to Section 18.2-47 of the Code of Virginia law, abduction involves “any person who, by force, intimidation or deception, and without legal justification or excuse, seizes, takes, transports, detains or secretes another person." 

Section 18.2-67.1 of the Code of Virginia law describes forcible sodomy as non-consensual “cunnilingus, fellatio, anilingus, or anal intercourse with a complaining witness.” If found guilty, Madrigal is subject to "confinement in a state correctional facility for life or for any term not less than five years," the Virginia Code states. 

In addition to being criminally prosecuted, Madrigal's case is also being separately investigated by Title IX coordinators. 

“The Title IX is a different type of investigation, not criminal," McCoy said. "So there are dual investigations." 

Madrigal had one hearing at the Richmond-John Marshall Criminal-Traffic General District Court on Feb. 14, and his hearing will continue on March 28.

“He is not in jail, and he’s currently waiting for his next court date," McCoy said. 

Madrigal is not on campus, McCoy said.

UR's concern is with all survivors of sexual assault, and the prevention and adjudication of cases of sexual misconduct, particularly sexual violence, Price said in her email. 

“We are committed to actively supporting survivors of sexual assault, to responding promptly to reports of any type of sexual misconduct, and to investigating reports in a manner that is fair and equitable to all parties involved,” Price wrote in her email. 

Contact news writer Nancy Lam at nancy.lam@richmond.edu.