CNU police records for Jesse Matthew

Dear J.K. Trotter,

In response to your FOIA request dated September 23, 2014
​ for​
:

"
​A​
ny University Police reports, dated between August 1 2003 and November 1
2003, which involve a Christopher Newport University student named JESSE
LEROY MATTHEW (Date of birth: 12/14/1981)
​.​
"

Christopher Newport University has
determined that there is a single file responsive to your request.
However,
​
the University is
withholding the requested records pursuant to the exceptions from
mandatory disclosure permitted by
​
​ ​
Code of Virginia
​SS ​
2.2-3706 (A)(1)(a)
​
and​
​
Code of Virginia
​SS ​
2.2-3706 (2)(a)
​, and in cooperation with law-enforcement agencies.

​Should the University determine that these exceptions no longer apply to
any or all of the information that you have requested, the requested
information will be provided to you.​

--
Lori Jacobs
Director of Public Relations
Christopher Newport University
1 Avenue of the Arts
Newport News, Va. 23606
(757) 594-7961
lori.jacobs@cnu.edu

*​​*

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
September 23, 2014
Christopher Newport University
Lori Jacobs
Office of Communications & Public Relations
Christopher Newport University
1 Avenue of the Arts
Newport News, Virginia 23606

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to Virginia Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the
following records:

Any University Police reports, dated between August 1 2003 and November 1
2003, which involve a Christopher Newport University student named JESSE
LEROY MATTHEW (Date of birth: 12/14/1981).

Please expedite the processing of this request, as MATTHEW was recently
named a person of interest in an ongoing missing-person investigation in
Charlottesville, Virginia. Please assess any applicable fees for expedited
processing, if necessary.

I also request that, if appropriate, fees be waived as I believe this
request is in the public interest. The requested documents will be made
available to the general public free of charge as part of the public
information service at MuckRock.com, processed by a representative of the
news media/press and is made in the process of news gathering and not for
commercial usage.

In the event that fees cannot be waived, I would be grateful if you would
inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would
prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available
or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I
look forward to receiving your response to this request within 5 business
days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

J.K. Trotter

Christopher Newport University
​
confirms that Jesse Leroy Matthew, Jr. attended the University from January
2003 through October 15, 2003. He was a member of the football team from
August 14 to September 12, 2003. Students don't usually leave in the second
month of the semester or leave the football team within a month. However,
federal student record privacy laws (FERPA) limit the information we can
provide. The University is fully cooperating with law-enforcement agencies.

There is a single file related to Matthew at CNUPD. However,
​
the University is
withholding this record pursuant to the exception from mandatory
disclosure
​
of
​
Code of Virginia
​
2.2-3706 (2)(a)
​, and in cooperation with law-enforcement agencies.
​The success of the criminal investigation is paramount at this time.​
The University has consulted with the Virginia State Police again today,
and we are now releasing the following
non-exempt "criminal incident information" specified in Section 2.2-3706
(A)(1):

1) A general description of the criminal activity reported:
Sexual Assault

2) The date the alleged crime was committed:

Hello,
Please advise if you receive below non-exempt items numbered 1-5.

Christopher Newport University ​confirms that Jesse Leroy Matthew, Jr. attended the University from January 2003 through October 15, 2003. He was a member of the football team from August 14 to September 12, 2003. Students don't usually leave in the second month of the semester or leave the football team within a month. However, federal student record privacy laws (FERPA) limit the information we can provide. The University is fully cooperating with law-enforcement agencies.

There is a single file related to Matthew at CNUPD. However, ​the University is withholding this record pursuant to the exception from mandatory disclosure ​of ​Code of Virginia ​2.2-3706 (2)(a)​, and in cooperation with law-enforcement agencies. ​The success of the criminal investigation is paramount at this time.​
The University has consulted with the Virginia State Police again today, and we are now releasing the following non-exempt "criminal incident information" specified in Section 2.2-3706 (A)(1):

1) A general description of the criminal activity reported: Sexual Assault

2) The date the alleged crime was committed: Date: 09/07/2003

3) The general location where the alleged crime was committed: CNU campus

4) The identity of the investigating officer or point of contact: ​C​​aptain​ Scott Austin​, CNU Police​

5) A general description of any injuries suffered or property damaged or stolen: No physical injuries were reported​.​

The University will release no additional information regarding Mr. Matthew and will have no further comment.​

-
Lori Jacobs
Director of Public Relations
Christopher Newport University
1 Avenue of the Arts
Newport News, Va. 23606
(757) 594-7961
lori.jacobs@cnu.edu