Suspended OSU student, ex-fraternity member Nathan Cochran pleads not guilty to sexual battery

TULSA - A suspended Oklahoma State University student and former interfraternity officer has pleaded not guilty to charges of sexual battery.

Nathan Cochran was suspended from the university effective Dec. 14 for three years for sexual abuse, a violation of OSU's code of conduct .

Stillwater Police Capt. Randy Dickerson said the criminal investigation began Friday at noon after a reporter with the university's student newspaper contacted him a day earlier.

On Monday, the newspaper reported on an anonymous email that claimed a former FarmHouse Fraternity member committed more than 10 assaults on new members.

A warrant was issued Wednesday for Cochran on three counts of sexual battery for offenses that allegedly occurred in November 2011.

Dickerson said Cochran turned himself in to the jail Wednesday night where he was booked and held until Thursday morning when he was transferred to the Payne County Jail.

During a video arraignment Thursday afternoon, Cochran entered not guilty pleas for all three charges.  He is scheduled to appear in court Dec. 19 for a bond hearing.