Student faces court hearing today
Suspected attacker of LGBT Center arrested wednesday
The student suspected of committing perceived hate crimes over two weeks ago at the LGBT Resource Center over was released on $50,000 bond Wednesday evening and is scheduled for a court hearing today.
Robert G. Grosfield, 22, was arrested at his home in Ventura County at about 1 p.m. Wednesday and was charged with the interference of civil rights.
University police began searching for suspects on Sept. 13, the day after a rock shattered a window at the center.
Then, just a day after the investigation began, more rocks were thrown at the windows of the LGBT center and two rainbow flags were also stolen, said the center’s director Ronni Sanlo.
Police designated the attacks as hate crimes, a charge carrying harsher legal ramifications, because they were directed at the LGBT center.
Robert Naples, dean of students, said it is too early to tell if Grosfield will also face charges under the student code of conduct.
Naples said Grosfield could be charged with violating the code if he is accused of doing damage on campus.
Grosfield’s offense could have additional consequences, such as suspension or dismisal, if it is determined to be a hate crime, Naples said.
After the series of attacks occurred, university police were able to collect fingerprints and blood samples from the scene since the suspect had been cut by the broken glass of the windows.
The attacks came close to the first anniversary of the center’s move to the Student Activities Center and the 10th anniversary of its establishment.
Immediately after the attacks, Chancellor Albert Carnesale met with Sanlo and other campus officials and issued a statement outlining the campus’ zero tolerance policy in cases of hate crimes.
Sanlo has also said support for the center from the rest of the campus has been overwhelming.

