WWU student allegedly ingests mushrooms, then assaults another on campus
An 18-year-old Western Washington University student was arrested Sunday after he allegedly ingested hallucinogenic mushrooms and assaulted another student.
Jackson Stephanos Regas was arrested Dec. 1 and has been charged with felony second-degree assault (strangulation). Regas’ first appearance and arraignment in Whatcom County Superior Court are scheduled for Dec. 6.
At approximately 9:15 p.m. on Nov. 30, Western Washington University Police were called to the Ridgeway Kappa residence hall for the report of an assault.
Officers determined that Regas, a freshman, had allegedly ingested hallucinogenic mushrooms and assaulted a woman he knew, who was also a student living in university housing, according to university spokesperson Paul Cocke.
Regas was hospitalized due to his intoxication from the mushrooms, and once he was released, was booked into the Whatcom County Jail, Cocke said.
Regas faces an interim suspension from WWU and has been trespassed from campus, Cocke said. The university is offering support to the woman, Cocke said.
Regas has no known criminal history, Cocke said. Cocke did not reply to questions about whether Regas still is allowed to attend classes or if he has been evicted from the residence hall.
This is the second time this quarter that a WWU student has allegedly ingested hallucinogenic mushrooms and assaulted at least one other student.
In October, 18-year-old student Antony Gorbatyuk was cited by university police after he allegedly ingested hallucinogenic mushrooms, became aggressive and assaulted two female students, according to Cocke.
Gorbatyuk was charged in Whatcom County District Court with fourth-degree assault with sexual motivation and indecent exposure with sexual motivation, both misdemeanors, on Oct. 16, but was not booked into the Whatcom County Jail. Gorbatyuk also is facing the same charges in a separate case, but the prosecuting attorney on the cases was unavailable to say if the charges stem from the same incident or a different one.
His jury trial for both cases has been tentatively scheduled for Feb. 3.
Gorbatyuk was evicted from the residence hall and trespassed from campus housing while further disciplinary actions are pending, Cocke said. Gorbatyuk is allowed to be on campus and attend classes pending the outcome of the student disciplinary process, Cocke said Wednesday.
Resources
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence or sexual assault, you can contact the following local resources for free, confidential support:
▪ Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services: 24-hour Help Line: 360-715-1563, Email: info@dvsas.org.
▪ Lummi Victims of Crime: 360-312-2015.
▪ Bellingham Police: You can call anonymously at 360-778-8611, or go online at cob.org/tips.
▪ WWU Consultation and Sexual Assault Support Survivor Advocacy Services: 360-650-3700 or wp.wwu.edu/sexualviolence/.
This story was originally published December 6, 2019 at 12:19 PM.
