Zhongyuan Shao, 18, is charged with criminal trespassing, indecent assault, harassment and burglary in connection with eight separate incidents in two residence halls that were reported to Penn State University Police and Public Safety the mornings of October 11 and 12.
Early in the morning of October 11, one victim reportedly woke to find Shao standing above her and allegedly touching her breasts. According to court documents, Shao allegedly told her they were “going to do this” and moved as if to take off his pants after being told to leave. When the victim protested a second time, he fled the room.
That incident occurred in Wolf Hall, the same residence hall to which Saho is assigned, according to court documents.
The next day, a female student awoke in her Stone Hall dorm room at approximately 3:15 a.m. to find Shao allegedly standing over and rubbing her genitals beneath her bed sheets. When she began to scream, police say he ran from the room.
At least one other victim – a minor visiting her sister in the dorms – told police Shao had fondled her as she slept. Another victim reported waking up to find Shao allegedly touching her shoulder while she slept beside her boyfriend. Police say the boyfriend confronted Shao and caused him to flee.
Several other women awoke to find Shao allegedly attempting to enter their locked rooms in Stone Hall. In one incident, Shao reportedly returned to one room after 20 minutes and attempted to enter a second time. Another victim told investigators that Shao had entered her dorm once before on September 28.
Each victim reportedly told police they did not know Shao or invite him into their rooms. They each were able to identify him as the alleged trespasser from security video footage. Shao, an engineering student from China, reportedly appeared before police officers the next day wearing the same clothes he had worn in the video.
During the interview with police, Shao initially admitted attempting to enter every female residence on the first and second floors of Stone Hall before refusing to answer further questions, according to court documents.
He was arraigned on Monday and is being held on a $250,000 bail while awaiting an October 22 preliminary hearing.