Two charged in rape, video allegedly shared on Snapchat

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Two former IUSB students have been charged with rape after allegedly sharing video of the incident on Snapchat, according to court records.

The victim told police on February 18 she went to a party at the Eddy Street Apartments from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. with two friends, then met up with Joseph Bannister, Phillip Corthen III and another person, and went to a party on Caroline Street.

After the party on Caroline Street, the group went to Bannister's apartment in the IUSB student housing complex.

A female witness told police while at Bannister's apartment, she and the victim drank alcohol. Over the course of the evening, she estimated the victim consumed approximately 12 shots of alcohol, reports said.

At some point during the early morning hours, the victim, Bannister and Corthen were all in Bannister's bedroom.

A short time later, one of the friends received a Snapchat video from Bannister. The 8-second long video allegedly depicted Bannister and the victim in sexual activity, reports said.

Later a second video message was sent by Bannister on Snapchat, which depicted Bannister and Corthen engaging in sexual activity with the victim, according to the probable cause affidavit.

The victim's friend reported seeing the videos, but said she didn't see or hear the victim objecting, so she left the apartment for a short time.

When the victim's friend returned, she found the victim naked and unconscious in Bannister's bed, according to the probable cause affidavit.

Bannister dressed the victim, then the victim's friend and another friend took her home, according to reports.

The victim told police she remembered sitting in a chair by a desk in Bannister's room. The next thing she remembered was waking up at home on her couch. She said she had bruising on her upper thighs that was not there the night before, reports said.

On February 19, Bannister was interviewed at the St. Joseph County Special Victims Unit. He allegedly admitted to engaging in sexual intercourse with the victim.

Also on February 19, police interviewed Corthen. He also allegedly admitted to engaging in sexual intercourse with the victim.

Bannister has been charged with one count of rape. He was arrested on July 14 and bonded out.

Corthen has been charged with two counts of rape. A warrant is out for his arrest.

IUSB responded to our request for comment late Monday. Spokesman Ken Baierl said both Corthen and Bannister are no longer enrolled as students at IU South Bend. They were both removed as members of the IU South Bend men's basketball team after the alleged incident. He added IUSB has fully cooperated in the investigation.