Man accused of sexual assault, break-in at Belmont Abbey dorm turns himself in

BELMONT, N.C. — A man accused of sexually assaulting a student after entering several dorm rooms at Belmont Abbey College has turned himself in, campus police said.

Police said John Foster Alexander went inside St. Michael’s Dorm on Sunday morning. Belmont Abbey College police confirmed to Channel 9 they had taken out warrants for his arrest. Alexander’s charges include first-degree burglary, breaking and entering, sexual battery, second-degree trespassing, and secret peeping.

Alexander is inside the Mecklenburg County Jail on a $50,000 bond.

According to students who spoke with Channel 9′s Anthony Kustura, the doors are only supposed to unlock with a key card. At St. Michael’s, students say the key cards to get into the building, the elevator, and the stairwells have not been working for weeks.

“It was a little bit shocking because I feel like this is a pretty safe campus,” said Samantha Gustek, a first-year student.

Sophomore Brenden Chandler lives at the dorm and said that many students don’t lock their doors because of added security, and he and his roommate left their door unlocked.

Belmont Abbey College Campus Police said video showed Alexander only entering unlocked rooms at the dorm.

They shared security footage of Alexander, who is accused of trespassing just before 7 a.m. Sunday before he appeared to take off in a dark-colored SUV.

Police advise people to keep their dorm rooms locked at all times and to immediately call campus police if an unknown individual enters unexpectedly.

This is a developing story. Check wsoctv.com for updates.

(WATCH BELOW: Person hit, killed by vehicle in Belmont, police say)

Person hit, killed by vehicle in Belmont, police say

©2023 Cox Media Group