Timothy Anderson, the man notoriously referred to on social media as the campus “bear hugger,” was sentenced to 10 days in the Boone County Jail and two years of probation on July 16.
The charges stemmed from two cases of reported assault at MU and a case of stalking a female student at Stephens College. Under the terms of probation, Anderson will not be allowed to set foot on either colleges’ campus.
Assault in the third degree does not necessarily include physical harm or contact, according to [Section 565.070 of the Missouri Revised Statues](http://www.moga.mo.gov/statutes/c500-599/5650000070.htm).
Simply put, assault in the third degree can be “harm or fear of harm,” said MUPD Captain Brian Weimer. This also includes “immediate apprehension of fear or harm,” he said.
Anderson, 19, was referred to as the “bear hugger” after MU Police issued a [clery release Oct. 25]( http://www.mupolice.com/clery/12-2012.php) that used the phrase “bear hug” in a description of an on-campus assault.
A [second assault]( http://www.mupolice.com/clery/13-2012.php) was reported later that afternoon, and MUPD officers [arrested Anderson]( http://www.mupolice.com/clery/arrest1213.php) that same night around 11:50 p.m. on two counts of third degree assault.
The first incident occurred when Anderson approached a woman on the sidewalk near Speakers Circle and wrapped her in a “bear hug.” She was initially unable to free herself from his arms, but he released her as an unknown individual approached. Anderson then said, “Oh, I thought you were someone else,” before running away.
The first assault was reported around 9:35 a.m. Oct. 24.
The second assault happened around 4:56 p.m. on Oct. 25 on the fourth floor of the Hitt Street Garage.
While walking up the stairs, a woman noticed a man following her. Anderson walked up to her, standing very close as he stopped to ask if he knew her before walking away, according to the statement on similar incident.
In the second incident, there was no physical contact, but the report stated that the victim felt threatened by the encounter.
Neither of the female victims received any injuries, according to the second clery release.
