Aaron Dugo arrested on Monday, April 1 following reports of lewd behavior on campus
BY MADALYN GODFREY, OPINION EDITOR
On Monday, April 1 at 11:25 a.m., George Mason University Department of Police and Public Safety announced through GMU emails that lewd behavior occurred on the Mason Fairfax campus. Virginia registered sex offender Aaron Dugo committed the acts inside a vehicle near an athletic facility on Friday, March 30.
Following the email, Mason Police announced on Tuesday, April 2, that they arrested Dugo on Monday afternoon and issued him a trespass order from GMU property following a report of indecent exposure outside of the Recreation Athletic Complex.
Mason Police identified the sex offender as Aaron Dugo, who was convicted on June 8, 2018 for peeping on the third conviction of a minor and on Sep. 27, 2022 for failing to register. Additionally, Mason Police linked Dugo to cases involving lewd phone calls to campus facilities over the last few months.
As of Tuesday, April 2 at 3:56 p.m., Dugo is being held in the Fairfax County jail; however, according to the Chief of Police for the GMU Police Department Carl Rowan, Jr., Dugo is expected to make bail and be released.
“Our investigation of [Dugo’s] activities is continuing, and we will bring any additional charges for which probable cause is established… Therefore, we need your continued assistance,” Chief Rowan said.
Chief Rowan asks for individuals to provide additional information about Dugo’s actions and to call Mason Police if Dugo is found on campus.
“Familiarize yourself with Mr. Dugo’s picture and if you ever see him on campus in the future, CALL MASON POLICE IMMEDIATELY [sic] at 703-993-2810,” Chief Rowan said. “ If Mr. Dugo is found on GMU property, he will be arrested for trespassing. We prefer phone calls to text messages, but contact us in whatever manner is best for you, as quickly as possible.”
Dugo is known to drive a gray Honda CRV with Virginia license plates and is described as a 45-year-old white male, balding and having a stocky build.
“Please be alert to suspicious persons or predatorial behavior which, initially, can appear to be very friendly and charming,” Chief Rowan said. “Mason Police encourage you to always be vigilant and be award of your surrounds. Always secure vehicles, lock and secure residence hall dors and windows and utilize approved window coverings and blinds to protect your privacy.”
For students who have been in contact with Dugo or have been approached by anyone who makes them feel unsafe, students can contact the Title IX Office, the Student Support and Advocacy Center, Mason Police, or can submit a tip to Crime Solvers/Anonymous Tips.
“Thank you in advance for your continued support,” Chief Rowan said. “Working together we will continue to keep this University one of the safest schools in the nation.”
APRIL 1 COMMUNITY NOTIFICATION MESSAGE FROM MASON POLICE
Dear Patriots,
Mason Police are sending this community notification message due to our ongoing concerns about the behavior of an individual that has taken place on, or near, our Fairfax Campus.
On March 30, 2024, the Mason Police investigated a report of lewd behavior occurring near an athletic facility inside a vehicle. Due to an alert community member, they were able to provide a detailed description of the suspect and vehicle which led to a positive identification. The investigation revealed that the known individual, a registered sex offender in the state of Virginia, has driven through the Fairfax campus on multiple occasions over the last few months. He is also linked to several additional cases involving lewd phone calls to campus facilities within the same time period.
Mason Police have serious concerns about the conduct of this person and are continuing to work with other local police departments on this matter. While law enforcement is limited in what types of information can be released about an individual, there are publicly accessible files, such as court records and State Police databases, that can provide additional details about registered sex offenders in the local area.
https://www.vspsor.com/Search
If you believe you have encountered this individual on the GMU Campus, please call Mason Police immediately at 703-993-2810. We, and our law enforcement partners, will resolutely pursue any legal options that we have to keep the community safe. This individual is known to drive a gray Honda CRV with Virginia license plates. He is described as a 45-year-old white male, balding, having a stocky build. If you have received lewd phone calls, been a victim of peeping, or observed lewd behavior and have not yet reported it, we would like to hear from you as we continue to rapidly build a case.
Please be alert to suspicious persons or predatorial behavior which, initially, can appear to be very friendly and charming. Mason Police encourage you to always be vigilant and be aware of your surroundings. Always secure vehicles, lock and secure residence hall doors and windows and utilize approved window coverings and blinds to protect your privacy.
In addition to the Mason Police, here are offices and resources that are available to you if you have had contact with this person or if you are approached by anyone who makes you feel unsafe or uncomfortable:
Title IX Office: 703-993-8730
Student Support and Advocacy Center: 703-993-3686
Crime Solvers/Anonymous Tips: Submit A Tip
RAVE Guardian App https://ready.gmu.edu/rave-guardian/
An update will be provided when available. Thank you and be safe.
Carl Rowan Jr.
Chief of Police and Assistant VP for Public Safety
APRIL 2 COMMUNITY NOTIFICATION MESSAGE FROM MASON POLICE
Thank you, Patriots.
Mason Police received numerous tips and assistance from the Mason Community after Monday’s notification message. Due to your vigilance and support, yesterday afternoon, Mason Police were able to quickly obtain and serve an arrest warrant on Mr. Aaron Dugo for lewd conduct. He was also issued a trespass order barring him from GMU property. At this present time, he is in the Fairfax County jail, but it is expected that he will eventually be able to make bail and return to the streets. Our investigation of his activities is continuing, and we will bring any additional charges for which probable cause is established.
Therefore, we need your continued assistance. Anyone with additional information about this individual’s actions is encouraged to call Mason Police at 703-993-2810 or contact us online at Crime Solvers Submit A Tip. While law enforcement is limited in what types of information can be released about an individual, there are publicly accessible files, such as court records and State Police databases, that can provide additional details about Mr. Dugo. Please check the following link for a photo and more information about this person. Familiarize yourself with Mr. Dugo’s picture and if you ever see him on campus in the future, CALL MASON POLICE IMMEDIATELY at 703-993-2810. If Mr. Dugo is found on GMU property, he will be arrested for trespassing. We prefer phone calls to text messages, but contact us in whatever manner is best for you, as quickly as possible.
Thank you in advance for your continued support. Working together we will continue to keep this University one of the safest schools in the nation.
Carl Rowan, Jr.
Chief of Police and Assistant Vice President for Public Safety
George Mason University Police Department
