A former West Point cadet who pleaded guilty to assaulting his pregnant ex-girlfriend is facing a civil lawsuit seeking unspecified damages. Prosecutors said he drugged the woman and administered abortion medication without her consent, causing a miscarriage. The alleged March 2022 incident occurred while both were cadets at the U.S. Military Academy. His criminal sentencing has been postponed until January 21, 2027, so he can complete a semester at Columbia University.
| 1) | Criminal case follows alleged medication assault |
| 2) | Civil lawsuit details the woman’s account |
| 3) | Education and sentencing timeline |
| 4) | Debate over medication safeguards |
| 5) | Statements from the lawyers and universities |
Criminal case follows alleged medication assault
Caleb Suh pleaded guilty in June to assault resulting in substantial bodily injury to a dating partner. The charge relates to an incident in March 2022 involving his then-girlfriend, who was also a cadet at West Point. According to statements made in court and allegations in the civil complaint, Suh did not want the woman to continue the pregnancy while she wanted to have the baby.
The allegations state that Suh used the woman’s identity to create an online pharmacy account, ordered abortion medication, obtained Xanax from a friend and presented his girlfriend with a drink described as a prenatal protein shake. After she fell asleep, he allegedly administered the medication orally and vaginally. Suh has acknowledged responsibility for the criminal conduct through his guilty plea.
Civil lawsuit details the woman’s account
The woman filed the civil lawsuit on October 28, while Suh was enrolled at Columbia University. The complaint seeks unspecified damages and describes what happened after the alleged medication was administered. It says Suh left her alone while she was incapacitated and did not respond to her attempts to contact him after she awoke and noticed bleeding.
The woman was later hospitalized. The lawsuit also alleges that, while she was receiving medical care, Suh returned to the online pharmacy website and asked whether doctors could identify the medication. Her attorney, Russell Kornblith, said the incident had caused lasting harm and trauma. The lawsuit remains a civil proceeding, and its allegations are separate from the criminal sentence that remains pending.
Education and sentencing timeline
Suh transferred to Cornell University during the 2023-2024 academic year and graduated in 2026. He then began a master’s program at Columbia’s Mailman School of Public Health in September. His attorney asked the court to delay sentencing so he could complete the semester, and prosecutors did not oppose the request.
Sentencing is now scheduled for January 21, 2027. Suh’s attorney also told the court that he was completing a three-month life-skills course for people facing federal charges. Cornell said Suh reported no prior disciplinary finding on his application and that West Point had indicated he was in good academic standing and eligible to return. Cornell also said he had studied health and medicine and wanted to become a physician.
Debate over medication safeguards
The case has prompted renewed discussion about how abortion medication is prescribed and dispensed. The alleged assault took place in March 2022, before the Food and Drug Administration formally removed its in-person dispensing requirement for mifepristone in January 2023. The agency had temporarily stopped enforcing that requirement in April 2021 during the COVID-19 public health emergency and announced plans for a permanent change in December 2021.
The FDA said the change followed a review of available evidence, while other requirements, including prescriber certification, remained in place. The incident described in the lawsuit involved alleged impersonation and unauthorized use of medication, rather than a consensual medical decision by the pregnant woman.
Statements from the lawyers and universities
Attorney Erin Hawley, who is not representing the woman, described the alleged assault as deeply traumatic and said the woman had wanted the pregnancy. She also argued that medication should not be shipped to a home or dormitory without a patient speaking with a doctor, while acknowledging that the alleged conduct occurred before the FDA’s 2023 policy change.
“She was expecting a child she very much wanted, was drugged and assaulted,” Hawley said.
Caleb Suh told the court in June that he was “deeply and immeasurably sorry” for his actions and the pain he caused. A representative for Columbia was not identified in the report, and the university’s admissions policies concerning criminal records were discussed by a person familiar with the matter. Suh’s defense attorney was contacted for comment.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Suh pleaded guilty to assault resulting in substantial bodily injury to a dating partner. |
| 2 | The civil lawsuit was filed on October 28 and seeks unspecified damages. |
| 3 | The alleged incident occurred in March 2022 while both parties were West Point cadets. |
| 4 | Suh’s sentencing was postponed until January 21, 2027. |
| 5 | The case has renewed debate over abortion-medication safeguards and consent. |
Summary
The criminal case and civil lawsuit center on allegations that a former West Point cadet drugged his pregnant ex-girlfriend and administered abortion medication without her consent. He has pleaded guilty to assault, but sentencing remains pending. The civil claims, educational history and debate over medication safeguards will proceed separately from the sentencing process.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the former cadet accused of doing?
According to the civil lawsuit and court statements, he allegedly drugged his pregnant ex-girlfriend and administered abortion medication without her consent, causing a miscarriage.
What is the status of the criminal case?
He pleaded guilty to assault resulting in substantial bodily injury to a dating partner. Sentencing has been postponed until January 21, 2027.
What does the civil lawsuit seek?
The lawsuit, filed on October 28, seeks unspecified damages and alleges that the woman suffered serious and lasting physical and emotional harm.
Why has the case raised questions about abortion medication?
The allegations involve medication ordered through an online pharmacy and administered without the patient’s consent, prompting debate about dispensing safeguards and medical oversight.
