Man charged in NCSU assault

Ryan McNeil Jr., 21, is charged with sexual battery, a misdemeanor, and felony identity theft.

NCSU police Maj. David Kelly said McNeil was taken into custody just before noon after he was found on a bus in front of the Raleigh Convention Center.

Kelly said the suspect gave officers a fake name and age — Deearl Creech, 36 — but his identity was determined when he was booked at the Wake County Detention Center.

Earlier in the day, campus police distributed a surveillance photo and asked for the public's help in identifying a man wanted for assaulting a student who was walking near the Free Expression Tunnel on main campus.

According to investigators, the man approached a female student from behind at about 7 a.m. Friday and touched her in a sexual way. After the assault, he fled the area on foot and was last seen near Polk and Harrelson halls. 

There was no weapon used during the incident.

"It's very concerning to us," Kelly said. "Certainly, we want to be able to provide for a very safe environment for all of our faculty, students and staff, as well as any of the visitors that come here. Any time we have an incident like this, we take it seriously."

Student Megan Askew said she feels safe on campus.

"You can always get someone to come pick you up late at night if you're walking back from exams," she said. "So I never really felt unsafe, and I'm usually walking with people."

Taylor Kennedy said she always takes precautions.'

"I have pepper spray and a phone," she said.

McNeil was held on a $27,500 bond. His first court appearance is scheduled for Monday.