Arrest made in sexual assault case on UK campus
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 23, 2024) ― A University of Kentucky Police investigation has led to the arrest of the suspect referenced in a Nov. 15 sexual assault crime bulletin.
Saif Al-Khafaji, 21, of Louisville, was arrested this evening by the Louisville Airport Police on a warrant issued in Fayette County.
Al-Khafaji has been charged with first-degree sexual abuse and second-degree indecent exposure.
UK Police issued a crime bulletin on Nov. 15 following a report of sexual assault that occurred during the overnight hours on Sunday, Nov. 10, while the victim was walking near the intersection of Rose St. and Euclid Ave.
Through its investigation, UK Police connected the suspect to a separate report of indecent exposure based on the description given by the victim. Detectives quickly identified the suspect using the security camera system on campus. An arrest warrant was issued Thursday, Nov. 21, and Al-Khafaji was arrested on Saturday, Nov. 23.
Sexual assaults are some of the most underreported crimes on college campuses across the country. UK Police continues working to remove barriers that survivors face when reporting incidents. If you are a member of the UK community and a victim of sexual assault, UK Police encourages you to call its Special Victims Unit at 859-257-8573 to speak with an advocate.
UK also offers free and confidential survivor support and advocacy at its Violence and Intervention Prevention Center.
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.
In 2022, UK was ranked by Forbes as one of the “Best Employers for New Grads” and named a “Diversity Champion” by INSIGHT into Diversity, a testament to our commitment to advance Kentucky and create a community of belonging for everyone. While our mission looks different in many ways than it did in 1865, the vision of service to our Commonwealth and the world remains the same. We are the University for Kentucky.