MSU department head: Sex act consensual

Alleged victim says in statement that suspect threatened to fire her

By Sara McAdory
sara.mcadory@clarionledger.com

The sexual encounter that occurred last week between a 21-year-old Mississippi State University student and a 49-year-old university department head was consensual, according to the suspect's attorney.

But the student said in a police report that Milo Crabtree, MSU director of procurement and contracts, threatened to fire her if she did not perform a sexual act.

The young woman had worked for Crabtree for six months as a receptionist, his attorney, Charles Yoste of Starkville, said.

The Clarion-Ledger does not name victims of alleged sexual assault. The victim said Wednesday she had no comment.

Crabtree, who has worked at the university since 1992, has been placed on administrative leave with pay, Yoste said.

Crabtree is scheduled for an Aug. 28 initial appearance in municipal court. If convicted of sexual battery, he could be sentenced to up to 30 years in prison.

After the alleged assault at the student's off-campus apartment, the student hugged Crabtree goodbye, Yoste said.

"In fact, he was invited over to her apartment that evening," Yoste said.

Mississippi College Law School professor Matt Steffey said the credibility of the victim and the suspect is important in cases where the parties know each other.

"It is extremely difficult to prosecute this sort of case, but not impossible," he said.

Steffey said it comes down to whom a jury believes.

In the police report, the student said Crabtree told her he hired her because she was pretty, and he wanted to have sex with her.

"The victim stated that the suspect has made improper gestures to her while on the job before this incident had occurred," according to the police report.

Yoste denies the allegations and said Crabtree had been to the woman's apartment two days before the alleged attack but sex was not involved.

In the police report, the victim alleges Crabtree arrived at her home about 9:30 p.m. July 20, and while there, he asked her for sex.

"She stated that he appeared to be intoxicated," according to the police report.

She told him to leave repeatedly and declined his offer, according to the report.

The woman alleges that Crabtree coerced her to perform a sex act, and he performed a sex act on her.

The alleged victim told police she did not attempt to fight off Crabtree because he was too big. "There appeared to be no physical bruises," the police report said.

The victim called the Starkville Police Department within an hour after he left, Detective Demetric Armstead said. An officer was told to take the woman to Oktibbeha County Hospital for a rape examination.

Starkville police did not look for Crabtree because the woman said he was intoxicated and they were making sure the victim was taken care of, according to the report.

"He was just as surprised as he could be when he was called Friday morning to come to the Starkville police station," Yoste said.

Armstead said Wednesday afternoon the department is still investigating.