DePaul Student Accused of 'Inappropriately Touching' Developmentally Disabled Woman

Joseph Annel, 19, of Propsect Heights. | Chicago Police Department

A 19-year-old DePaul University student is accused of sexually assaulting a woman with developmental disabilities as they watched a movie in his residence prosecutors said.

Joseph Annel appeared Sunday at the Leighton Criminal Courts Building on two felony charges of criminal sexual assault.

Prosecutors said that Annel said that on Friday afternoon, he invited a 22-year-old woman who is intellectually challenged to his residence on the pretext of watching a movie, the Chicago Tribune reported.

Annel is said to have removed the woman’s pants and underwear before touching her inappropriately.

The woman was part of a program that helps students with intellectual disabilities live independently. Prosecutors said that the woman has the mental capacity of a 10-year-old.

According to the charges, the woman told the student life coordinator what happened and police were called.

Police said the woman was able to provide Annel’s room number. She also picked him out of a photo array.

Annel is also accused of lying to police claiming to be developmentally disabled and part of the same program. Police said he eventually admitted to assaulting her.

Annel, who the Tribune reported is from Prospect Heights, was ordered to have no contact with the woman.

Bail was set at $50,000. Annel has another court hearing on Monday.

A DePaul spokesperson said the university does not operate the independent living program for intellectually challenged students. The student residence facility is also privately owned and located adjacent to the Lincoln Park campus.

This story has been updated with new information.