A former West Point cadet has pleaded guilty to felony assault after a lawsuit accuses him of drugging his pregnant girlfriend to force an abortion, raising questions about university admissions vetting.
Key points
- Suh pleaded guilty to felony assault for allegedly drugging his pregnant girlfriend and forcing an abortion.
- The victim’s lawsuit claims the assault caused a miscarriage and ongoing trauma.
- Columbia University was reportedly unaware of Suh’s conviction during admission and is now reviewing the case.
- Prosecutors are seeking a two‑year prison sentence, but sentencing has been postponed pending the defendant’s academic commitments.
Caleb T. Suh, a former United States Military Academy cadet, entered a guilty plea to felony assault in June 2024, admitting that he deliberately gave his pregnant girlfriend a smoothie laced with Xanax and promethazine and then inserted abortion medication into her vagina and mouth, according to court filings and his plea statement.
The lawsuit filed by the woman, identified only as Ms. Doe, alleges that Suh pretended the drink was a "special pregnancy protein powder," forced her to consume it while she was drowsy, and subsequently placed two abortion pills in her mouth after she spat them out. The filing says the woman suffered a miscarriage and required a dilation and curettage procedure.
Alleged assault and drug‑spiking details
Federal prosecutors in Manhattan have asked for a two‑year prison term. Suh requested a delayed sentencing until January so he could complete his first semester at Columbia University’s School of Public Health; a judge granted the request, and sentencing remains pending.
After the incident, Suh completed an undergraduate degree at Cornell University and enrolled in Columbia’s master’s program in public health. A source familiar with the university’s handling said Columbia was unaware of Suh’s conviction when he applied and that the school took "swift action" after learning of the case, though the specific measures were not disclosed.
Legal outcome and sentencing request
Ms. Doe’s attorney, Russell Kornblith, described the case as a profound violation of bodily autonomy and noted the lasting emotional impact of losing a pregnancy she intended to keep. The lawsuit seeks damages for the alleged assault and the resulting miscarriage.
Reader questions
What charge did Caleb Suh plead guilty to?
He pleaded guilty to felony assault in a Manhattan federal court.
Has Caleb Suh been sentenced yet?
No. He asked for a sentencing delay until January to finish his semester at Columbia, and the request was granted; sentencing is still pending.
How did Columbia University respond after learning of Suh’s conviction?
A university source said Columbia was unaware of the conviction when Suh applied and that the school took "swift action" after being informed, though the exact steps were not detailed.
Source: nypost.com