Both Aaron Christian, 18, and James Vandenberg, 19, are students of Wichita State University in Wichita, Sedgwick County, United States. They were recently accused of rape.
The two allegations are not related. Authorities did not confirm whether or not the alleged victims are also attending the same university.
Aaron Christian
On October 12, 2026, Wichita State University police officers arrested Christian. He was charged with aggravated domestic battery and rape.
“The university takes all reports of sexual assault seriously,” Wichita State University communication director Lainie Mazzullo-Hart stated after Christian’s arrest. “Sexual violence has no place in any campus community, and we are committed to following all applicable laws, reporting, investigative and student-support processes.”
James Vandenberg
Vanderberg is a freshman at Wichita State University. He is studying business.
On October 24, 2026, Wichita State University police officers arrested Vanderberg at campus dormitories. He was charged with one count of rape and booked into the Sedgwick County Jail in Wichita.
Bond for Vanderberg was set at $100,000. He was released after bonding out.
Wichita State University
Established in Wichita on September 11, 1895, Fairmount College was renamed the Municipal University of Wichita in 1926 and Wichita State University on July 1, 1964. Governed by the Kansas Board of Regents, the university currently offers more than 60 undergraduate programs across nine colleges with more than 200 areas of study.
On May 6, 2021, Richard D. Muma assumed office as the 15th president of the university. On January 5, 2025, Monica Lounsbery started serving as the senior executive vice president and provost at the university.
Currently, the university has seven satellite campuses. The main campus is located at 1845 North Fairmount in Wichita.
For relationship violence, sexual misconduct and stalking, Wichita State University students can seek support from the university’s counseling and psychological services. They may also report crimes on the university’s website.
