A Drake student was taken to the hospital during the early morning hours of Sept. 19 after being punched and beaten with a wooden stair rail, according to a Des Moines police report.
The victim was in his residence at 1219 34th Steet at 12:30 a.m. when junior James John Hoopes trespassed and broke through two doors to enter the room where the victim was located. Hoopes beat the victim with a wooden stair rail in the head and repeatedly punched him, according to a Des Moines police report.
The victim later received treatment at Mercy Medical Center for a nasal fracture, a black right eye and bruising and swelling of his forehead and the back of his head. The victim pressed civil charges against Hoopes.
Hoopes was arrested Thursday following the investigation on charges of willful injury and assault with a weapon. Des Moines police took Hoopes to the Polk Country Jail and set bond at $5,000. His bond was posted on Friday.
Both Hoopes and the victim live together and are members of the same fraternity. Hoopes is now removed from the fraternity and is living off campus.
Dean of Students Sentwali Bakari says the university is taking the report seriously and is fully investigating the matter.
Chris Nisbet • Sep 27, 2010 at 11:24 pm
Jackie-
Thank you for the article. In an attempt to preserve both the right of protection from libel per se and the integrity of James John Hoopes during the ongoing administrative and criminal investigation, I hope to clarify a few errors in the reported information.
With regard to the arrest charges, Hoopes was arrested late Thursday morning on the charge of Assault – Wilful Injury. Bond was posted later that thursday afternoon.
Hoopes and the victim lived in the same residential complex. They did not live together.
Hoopes has not been removed from the fraternity. Hoopes has currently been placed on suspension by the fraternity while the investigation continues.
In regards to the ongoing investigation by the university, the complaint report has already been taken seriously. Such seriousness is demonstrated by the indefinite suspension placed on Hoopes effective as of the morning of Wednesday the 22nd of September, prior to the completion of encompassing investigative measures, on the grounds that Hoopes presents an imminent threat and/or danger to the student body and faculty of the university.
Thank you