MSU student grabbed, sexually assaulted on campus, police say

Police say a man came up behind a Missouri State University student when she was walking home Wednesday, pulled her to the ground and tried to rape her before a bystander intervened.

Stephen M. Goodwin, 52, was charged with kidnapping and attempted rape after police say he assaulted the woman on campus.

According to a probable cause statement, a woman was walking home from campus at about 3:30 p.m. Wednesday near Harrison Street and John Q. Hammons Parkway when she felt like she was being followed by a man in a green sweatshirt.

The woman moved to the side to let the man pass, but the man — later identified as Goodwin — grabbed the woman from behind, lifted her up and threw her to the ground, according to the statement.

Goodwin fumbled with the zipper on his pants and then lunged at the woman, grabbing at her arms and body, according to the statement.

Another woman drove by the scene and saw Goodwin struggling with the victim, the statement says.

The second woman stopped her car, and Goodwin got up and walked away, the statement says.

The victim then ran into the stopped car, and the two women followed Goodwin until police arrived and arrested him, according to the statement.

Goodwin is being held in the Greene County Jail on $100,000 bond. He does not have an attorney listed for this case.

Goodwin allegedly told police he was on campus walking around and he is not sure what happened because he has "blackouts."

A bond recommendation document says Goodwin is a suspect in two other sexual assaults.