After spending three years on the run in Europe, Ian Cleary, 31, has been extradited to the United States to face felony sexual assault charges in Pennsylvania. Cleary, originally from Saratoga, California, was accused of assaulting former Gettysburg College student Shannon Keeler in 2013. He was captured in France in April 2023 after living as a “homeless transient,” authorities say.
Cleary was extradited following a ruling by the Court of Appeal in Metz, France, and was transferred to Adams County, Pennsylvania, where he was arraigned last Friday. A judge denied him bail, citing him as a flight risk, and scheduled a hearing for January 29.
Details of the 2013 Assault Case
The case dates back to December 15, 2013, when Keeler and a friend attended a party celebrating the end of finals at Gettysburg College. According to the arrest warrant, Cleary was present at the party and made Keeler uncomfortable. As she and her friend left, Cleary followed them and even offered her friend $20 to leave her alone.
Later that night, Keeler heard a knock at her dorm room door and, expecting her friend, opened it—only to find Cleary standing there. He entered her room, began kissing her, and then forced himself on her despite her repeated objections. After the assault, Cleary reportedly said, “I’m sorry. Are you okay?” before leaving.
Keeler reported the incident to police the next day and completed a rape test kit. However, authorities did not file charges for eight years.
The Break in the Case: Cleary’s Facebook Messages
It wasn’t until 2020 that the case gained traction again when Cleary messaged Keeler on Facebook, seemingly confessing to the assault. The messages, included in the arrest warrant, read:
- “I need to hear your voice. I need to know if I did it or not.”
- “I kissed you. I grabbed your breasts. Then I tried to but I couldn’t because I was high.”
- “I played with you but I didn’t penetrate you.”
- “So I raped you.”
- “I’ll never do it to anyone ever again.”
Keeler reported the messages to the Adams County District Attorney’s Office in May 2020. By June 2021, an arrest warrant was issued, but Cleary had already left the country, prompting a U.S. Marshals investigation.
Cleary’s Time on the Run
Authorities discovered Cleary had fled the U.S. and was living in France. Gettysburg Police Detective Chris Evans said Cleary’s wealthy background made it suspicious that he was living as a transient, suggesting he was deliberately avoiding extradition.
French authorities arrested Cleary in April 2023, and after lengthy legal proceedings, he was extradited to the U.S. last week. He is now in Adams County custody, awaiting trial.
What’s Next for Cleary?
Cleary faces felony sexual assault charges, and legal experts say his Facebook messages could play a significant role in the case. It is unclear if he will face additional charges for fleeing the country. His hearing is scheduled for January 29, and as of Tuesday, it was not confirmed if he has secured legal representation.
Keeler, who bravely came forward and allowed her name to be released publicly, has been fighting for justice for over a decade. With Cleary now back in the U.S., her case is finally moving forward in the courts.
