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December 13, 2012

OSU student charged with sexual battery

By Russell Hixson The Norman Transcript

STILLWATER — An Oklahoma State University student suspended for sexual misconduct now faces criminal charges.

Nathan Michael Cochran, 22, was charged Wednesday with three counts of sexual battery in Payne County District Court.

Cochran was found responsible for four sexual misconduct violations by an OSU student conduct committee hearing panel. He has been suspended from the school for three years. His suspension starts Friday, according to documents released Tuesday by the university.

Stillwater police launched on investigation into sexual abuse allegations last week.

Cochran’s address is listed as being in Stillwater. His previous address for this April is in Heavener.

Cochran’s name was part of the conduct committee hearing documents the NewsPress received Tuesday, but the Stillwater NewsPress doesn’t publish names of crime suspects until they are formally charged.

The university’s Code of Conduct describes sexual misconduct as anything from sexual touching or exposure to forcible rape, according to documents received Tuesday by the Stillwater NewsPress.

“Oklahoma State University followed all laws, including the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act and policies while carrying out its student conduct process. The university acted responsibly and swiftly to take action on the allegations brought forward by students,” according to an Oklahoma State University statement. “The university’s thoughts are with the students involved and OSU appreciates the cooperation of the students who brought allegations forward.”

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