Bridgewater State University, suspends student with Westport, Fall River, New Bedford ties after learning he is a level 3 s*x offender

A university in southeastern Massachusetts has suspended a student after finding out he is a level 3 sex offender.

On Wednesday afternoon, Bridgewater Police notified the community that 51-year-old Joshua Miguel was enrolled as a student at Bridgewater State University.

Miguel, who has worked, attended school, or lived in Westport, Fall River, and New Bedford, was convicted in January of 2013 of Rape of a Child With Force, Rape and Abuse of a Child, and Dissemination of Matter Harmful to Minors. He is not currently wanted by police for any crime and does not have any pending charges.

According to Wicked Local, Miguel was arrested after having sexual relations with a 6-year-old girl in his home while the child’s parents were away participating in an armed services training program. The child was also reportedly forced to watch adult pornography during the assaults.

After learning this, members of the community in large numbers expressed their displeasure to police and the university.

Late Wednesday, BSU released the following:

“BSU wants to thank the Bridgewater Police Department for making us aware of the situation involving a sex offender. This student is not currently on our campus, and BSU is working to remove this student for cause. As the third safest university in the United States, we continue to tirelessly ensure the safety of our campus community. We will provide a further update on the final resolution of this situation tomorrow.”

On Thursday, an updated statement was released.

“As promised, BSU wants to update you on the situation involving a sex offender. BSU has suspended this student, who has never attended classes at BSU, for failing to fully disclose his past felony conviction on his admissions application. Under the terms of this suspension, this person is barred from campus and from participating, whether in person or online, in any BSU courses, programs or activities.”

Bridgewater PD also issued an update stating that the offender is no longer a registered student at BSU.