Junior Miami University student Brett Hatton was charged with gross sexual imposition, assault and unlawful restraint after allegedly taking drunken, sexually aggressive actions against his roommate.

Miami University Police officers were dispatched at 2:28 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 20 to Elliot Hall according to Lt. Ben Spilman.

The incident occurred between 2 and 2:20 a.m., according to Spilman, who said the resident advisor (RA) had contacted the police department and put a sergeant in contact with the victim. The sergeant interviewed the victim, who described what happened.

According to Spilman, Hatton came home around 2 a.m. and started throwing objects around the room and slamming his desk. The victim said he asked Hatton if everything was okay and got no response. Hatton allegedly grabbed the victim off the bed and started hugging him in a face-to-face manner, then threw him against his bed.

Spilman said this happened two times before Hatton went outside the room. He then returned and threw the victim against his bed a third time. Hatton held the victim against the bed, rubbed himself against the victim and made a suggestive comment. The victim was then able to get away from Hatton and go to a friend’s room for help.

The victim indicated in the report that he is openly gay, but had never shown interest in Hatton, Spilman said.

“There’s no indication that hate or bias was a factor so [this crime is] not being investigated as any type of hate crime,” Spilman said.

The victim followed up with charges, according to Spilman.

“Gross sexual imposition is a fourth degree felony,” Spilman said. “[The suspect] can be sentenced to a year or more in prison. There’s typically a monetary fine involved.”

Assault is a first degree misdemeanor with consequences including up to six months in jail and up to $1,000 in fines, Spilman said, and unlawful restraint is a third degree misdemeanor with consequences including 30 to 60 days in jail and a lesser fine.

“If convicted on these charges, [there is the] possibility of jail time and fines as well,” Spilman said.

Hatton was in court Thursday, Feb. 28 for a preliminary hearing and the case was continued, Spilman said. He said he does not have details about why the continuance occurred or to what date the case was continued.

Gerry Olson, director of the Office of Residence Life, said incidents like this are confidential and declined to comment.