UPDATE: Chancellor Kenneth Peacock has commented on the alleged sexual assaults involving Appalachian State University students Friday evening.

“When things like that happen and impact four students at the university, it’s a dark day for me,” he said. 

Peacock did not mention any of the students by name and added that the accused would get their chance in court.

The Appalachian will continue to update the story as more information becomes available.

ORIGINAL STORY: Two Appalachian State University students were arrested when Boone Police responded to reports of alleged sexual assaults Friday evening.

Senior health promotion major David Weber and junior psychology major Jose Cuevas were arrested at a Queen Street residence, according to the police report.

Weber was arrested on two counts of second-degree forcible rape and two counts of assault by strangulation and held on a $175,000 secured bond. Cuevas was arrested on two counts of second-degree forcible rape and held on a $150,000 bond.

Both men have a court date set for Oct. 29.

The two women allegedly assaulted were acquaintances of the two men. Both women were treated and released from Watauga Medical Center, Capt. Andy Le Beau of Boone Police said.

Dean of Students J.J. Brown said any incidents of violence has an impact on all of Appalachian and that interpersonal violence is something that is discussed at events such as the Walk for Awareness.

“Our concern is for the safety of this community, the safety of all members of our community and how, obviously, we have work to do as a community,” Brown said. “Given the seriousness of the allegations and the impact it has on others… that’s our theme that we are talking about [Monday].”

Story: MICHAEL BRAGG, Editor-in-Chief, CHELSEY FISHER, Senior News Reporter
Photos courtesy of Boone Police