Sex Charges Against Student Dropped

Ventura County prosecutors have dropped six felony sexual assault charges against a former Cal Lutheran University student, saying they could not prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt.

Alejandro Castaneda, 19, had been accused of raping and sexually assaulting an 18-year-old female student in a dormitory room at the Thousand Oaks campus last fall.

The alleged victim, a freshman, told a judge during a preliminary hearing earlier this year that Castaneda forced himself on her after they had been drinking alcohol at a campus carnival. But the woman’s roommates--called as defense witnesses--questioned her credibility.

Although a judge found sufficient evidence to order Castaneda to stand trial, prosecutors this month decided to drop the most serious charges.

Castaneda still faces a misdemeanor sexual battery charge for allegedly fondling a second female student in a dormitory hallway last year. He has denied attacking the woman and is set to stand trial Aug. 14.

On Thursday, defense attorney Louisa McLean said her client was relieved prosecutors had dropped the felony charges. She said Castaneda intends to fight the misdemeanor case to clear his name.

“It has had a devastating effect on him,” said McLean, who told reporters after a court hearing that Castaneda lost a four-year college scholarship because of the case. “I think Alejandro has suffered enough.”

Castaneda is free on bail. McLean said he is now attending a community college.