Affidavit: Purdue student admits to sexual contact

Note: A previous version of this story contained incorrect information. Cheng Li was accused of sexual battery in October. 

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — A woman told police she was in bed with her boyfriend Sunday when she woke to find another man groping her.

Purdue University Police Department was called to a local hospital at 3:30 p.m. the same day to speak with the alleged victim, who said she "was awakened to someone reaching under her pajama pants," according to a probable cause affidavit filed Tuesday.

Donald Grant Ward, 19, was arrested several hours later and faces a preliminary charge of rape.

The alleged sexual assault took place at First Street Towers, an on-campus residence hall. Ward is a sophomore in the College of Engineering, according to a news release issued by Purdue.

Ward reportedly told investigators that he fell asleep in the boyfriend's dorm room early Sunday.

When he woke up, he said that he "was aware the boyfriend had left the room" and admitted that he "had sexual contact" with the victim, the affidavit states.

Ward is the second individual affiliated with Purdue who has been accused of unwanted sexual advances at an on-campus residence.

Cheng Li, a post-doctoral researcher at Purdue, was arrested in October and accused of sexually assaulting a woman at Hilltop Apartments after the two met on a messaging app.

Additionally, four Purdue football players were investigated, but never arrested or charged, following allegations by two students that they were raped at an off-campus residence.

Call J&C reporter Joseph Paul at 765-420-5339, email him at jpaul@jconline.com or follow him on Twitter:@JosephPaulJC.