SAFETY ALERT UPDATE—On Thursday, June 16, Anietie Umoren was released from the Salt Lake County Jail. Umoren, 40, a registered sex offender, has been banned from the University of Utah campus. Any member of the community who sees Umoren on campus should call University Police at 801-585-2677.

On Thursday, June 9, at 8:58 a.m., the University of Utah Police Department arrested Anietie Umoren, 40, for stalking and trespassing after two women reported him aggressively following and harassing them at the Marriott Library. Responding to these concerns, University Police also learned that Umoren had outstanding warrants for his arrest. University Police transported him to the Salt Lake County Jail, where he remains in custody.

Umoren is a registered sex offender. The warrants for his arrest stem from his refusal to comply with Utah’s sex offender law. He is using different names and not disclosing his age. The victims reported seeing and interacting with him multiple times on campus, including in the Union Building and the University Store, starting on May 31.

The university has issued a no trespass directive and permanent "campus ban" to Umoren barring him from returning to campus. Any member of the community who sees Umoren on campus should call University Police at 801-585-2677.

This safety warning is being issued as part of the University of Utah’s efforts to provide helpful information about potential threats to the campus community. While it may be distressing to learn about this incident, it is being shared so you can best protect yourself. Responsibility for a crime lies with the person committing it; however, there are some things you can do to reduce your risk of experiencing crime.

• It is important to keep in mind that:
  • Perpetrators of interpersonal violence can be from any race, class, or creed.
  • Interpersonal violence crimes are often committed by someone known to the person being victimized
• If you or someone you know is a victim of interpersonal violence, call the LINK line at 1-800-897-LINK (5465) or visit the Center for Excellence in Women’s Health website.
• Consent is required for all sexual interactions. Consent cannot be granted if a person is under the influence of alcohol, coerced, or under duress or force. If you are unsure if a person wants to engage in sexual behavior, DO NOT DO IT.
• Coercion includes “wearing a person down” until they say yes. This is not consent.
• The vast majority of sexual assault occurs between two people who know each other. Usually, victims of sexual assault know, and sometimes trust, the person who hurt them.
• If you notice one of your friends ignoring another person’s boundaries, remove your friend from the situation and tell them their behavior is not OK.
• If you’re meeting someone new, let others know when and where you’re meeting and plan to meet in a public setting. Trust your gut if anything feels off.
• Use the U’s SafeRide program or a courtesy escort (main campus: 801-585-2677; University Hospital: 801-581-2294) to get around campus.
• Let a family member or friend know when you’re going somewhere and your estimated time of arrival or return. This allows them to notify police as quickly as possible if there is a problem.
• If you feel uneasy, leave the area. Go to a safe location and notify University Police at 801-585-2677, or in case of an emergency, dial 911.
• Take care of one another and consider stopping and being present until help arrives in situations where someone may be experiencing harm. The person causing harm may stop if other people are around.
• Report any suspicious activities to University Police at 801-585-2677. Be prepared to provide as many details as possible.
• Be aware of your surroundings and avoid distractions, especially when walking alone. Try to avoid isolated or dark areas. Walk in groups whenever you can—there is safety in numbers.
• If a person approaches you in a way that makes you uncomfortable, maintain a distance and be observant; if they are in a vehicle, get the license plate number, make, model, color, and any additional identifiers, such as damage to the vehicle and direction of flight, if possible.