A computer engineering student was arrested for sexually assaulting a sheep from the Fresno State Sheep Unit early Tuesday morning.

The suspect, a 23-year-old male in his fifth year of study, was found having sex with the sheep inside a pen by a Fresno State police officer around 3:30 a.m., a police report said.

The Fresno State Police Department was first notified of suspicious activity when a resident of the Sheep Unit called the police saying someone had knocked on her apartment door, which is located inside the barn. The resident did not answer the door, but soon saw the suspect laying next to a sheep inside the pen when she looked through the blinds.

Police said after the officer arrived and saw the suspect having intercourse with the sheep, the suspect tried to run away when confronted.

The suspect soon complied with the officer and said he had drank alcohol earlier in the night and was stressed out over midterms. He originally said he was beating the sheep, but soon said he was having sex with the sheep, police said.

The suspect was taken to Fresno County Jail for booking to be charged with sexual assault on an animal. The police report said Dr. Carolyn Coon, associate vice president of student affairs and dean of students/interim judicial affairs director, had been notified for a review of the student’s academic status.