More charges against alleged U groper

Suspected groper at University of Minnesota faces new charges. Police say additional charges also are pending.

By ROCHELLE OLSON, Star Tribune

Last update: February 11, 2009 - 10:28 AM

A Minneapolis man accused of groping two University of Minnesota female students faces new charges today in seven other incidents, bringing to nine the total for which he has been charged.

Philip William Acosta, 41, did not know any of his victims, according to the complaint filed by Minneapolis Police Sgt. Bernard Martinson. Sgt. Jesse Garcia said more charges are pending.

Acosta was arrested Feb. 3 and charged with two counts of fifth-degree criminal sexual conduct, gross misdemeanors, in connection with two incidents on campus that night.

The latest incidents occurred on or near the University of Minnesota with the exception of one on Feb. 2 at 3:40 p.m. in the Uptown Neighborhood. The incidents occurred between Jan. 27 and Feb. 2.

Acosta has no known affiliation with the university. He remains in the Hennepin County jail.

He was arrested on the university's West Bank campus shortly after a woman reported being grabbed as she walked near the McNamara Alumni Center around 8:30 p.m. on Feb. 3. As the officers arrested him, dispatchers told them about another reported groping that had happened about 20 minutes earlier on Washington Avenue SE. in front of Moos Tower.

Both of those victims identified Acosta as their attacker.

Rochelle Olson • 612-673-1747

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