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A former University of Maine student, rape awareness activist and resident assistant is facing charges that include furnishing alcohol to a minor and sexual abuse of a minor.
Oscar Sparrow, 24, will appear in Penobscot County Superior Court in Bangor to face those and other charges of disorderly conduct and violating conditions of release.
Sparrow was arrested on June 8 after UMaine Public Safety discovered him and a minor consuming alcohol in Estabrooke Hall. Consequently, Sparrow was arrested on a charge of violating a conditional release stemming from a previous arrest for disorderly conduct after his involvement in a fight outside Number 10 North Main in Old Town last spring.
Four days later, after an investigation into criminal allegations, Sparrow was arrested again on charges of sexual abuse of a minor, a class D crime in Maine. The alleged victim was 15 years of age at the time of the offense.
Title 17 – A of the Maine Criminal Code states that a person is guilty of sexual assault of a minor if “The person engages in a sexual act with another person, not the actor’s spouse, who is either 14 or 15 years of age and the actor is at least five years older than the other person.” Sparrow and the alleged victim were nine years apart in age at the time of his arrest.
Sparrow, who withdrew from the university on Aug. 8, was a founding member of the Alpha chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon at UMaine, which hosts the annual concert and fundraiser Rock Against Rape. He was also former president of a rape advocacy group, Brothers Engaged Against Rape.
Working with the national organization, Men Can Stop Rape, BEAR trains individuals to advocate and educate students about the importance of rape awareness in the UMaine community. Only men from Sigma Phi Epsilon currently serve as BEAR members.
According to Barbara Smith, director of Residence Life and Programs, Sparrow was a resident assistant, but she could not verify the status or length of his employment, stressing only that he was qualified at the time of his employment.
“Any RA we hire is qualified … that’s why we hire them. We can’t comment on his performance as an RA … We can’t comment on anyone’s performance,” Smith said.
BEAR president Ben Morin said Sparrow approached him last winter and asked him to take over responsibilities as president of the organization.
“I think that was the last time I saw him,” Morin said. “There was a definite feeling he was breaking off before that. Then he just dropped contact.”
Both Morin and Greg Sinnett, president of Sigma Phi Epsilon, said they were shocked and appalled upon hearing news of Sparrow’s arrest. Both men said Sparrow has not been involved with either BEAR or Sigma Phi Epsilon for quite some time now. A formal statement from Sigma Phi Epsilon states that Sparrow has not been affiliated with the fraternity since October 2002. A similar statement from BEAR said Sparrow was excommunicated nine months ago.
“We don’t want people to think we harbor people who do these things. As soon as we found out about this we took action to remove him from these organizations … and drafted this statement,” Morin said, referring to the statement issued by BEAR Sept. 27.
Sinnett and Morin both said neither Sigma Phi Epsilon nor BEAR condone or tolerate such actions by their brothers.
The tone of the release sent by Sinnett on behalf of Sigma Phi Epsilon was that of accountability and remorse, as well as sympathy for the victims of sexual assault.
An excerpt is as follows: “Rape awareness is one of Sigma Phi Epsilon’s primary missions. Sigma Phi Epsilon stands firmly against all forms of sexual assault. If a member is known to engage in such activity, they are expelled and reported to authorities. Although Mr. Sparrow has not been convicted of any charges, Sigma Phi Epsilon takes the allegations against him seriously. Our hearts go out to all victims of sexual violence and their families.”
Further details and evidence regarding the case are not yet being released because Sparrow has requested a jury trial. According to Detective Chris Gardner of UMaine Public Safety, reports that contain intelligence and investigative information are confidential concerning a trial of this nature. Prejudicial information concerning an accused person may interfere with the ability of a court to impanel an impartial jury.
