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Man arrested in connection with Penn State serial rape investigation

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — A 36-year-old man was arrested in connection with a serial rape investigation involving Penn State students.

Jeffrey P. Fields of Port Matilda, Pa. was arrested for the rapes of four students between 2010 and 2017. In all of the cases, the female victims were attacked outdoors by a man they didn’t know.

  • Aug. 22, 2010: A 20-year-old woman reported being raped near Apple Alley in State College.
  • Jan. 28, 2011: A 19-year-old woman reported she was raped near Fraternity Row.
  • April 3, 2011: A 20-year-old woman reported she was raped near Fairmount Avenue and South Burrowes Street.
  • July 16, 2017: A 19-year-old woman called police to report she was raped near West Prospect Avenue and South Atherton Street.

DNA was collected during rape examinations performed at the time of each incident. The Pennsylvania State Police Crime Lab was given the samples and was able to connect all of the incidents to an unknown suspect. Police were able to use genetic screening to develop Fields as that suspect.

Fields was charged with multiple counts of felony rape and sexual assault, among other charges.