A sketch of a man was posted Friday on a Facebook group site accusing him of being the serial rapist.

The group on Facebook-called "Catch Him 2007: We Need Your Help!"-asserted that the sketch released to the press Friday was the man sought for a series of rapes in Manhattan.

"The sketch is of someone that was in the Aggieville business area, and we would like to talk to him to see who he is or what he was doing, but no indication was ever made by the RCPD that this individual was the suspected rapist," said Det. Carla Swartz of the Riley County Police Department. The group changed details on its description, recent news and wall sections after Swartz posted a statement on the group's wall.

Before these changes were made, group members made allegations that an individual on Facebook looked like the man in the sketch, which led to the posting of his name and picture next to the sketch for comparison.

While this individual might have resembled the sketch, Swartz said, sketches are not always perfect representations because they are based on descriptions given to a sketch artist. "What I don't want is people thinking this is the rapist and exclude other individuals that may appear suspicious," Swartz said.

Darcy Hamilton, senior in mass communications and member of Wildcats Against Rape, said Facebook is useful for awareness purposes but that people should leave certain aspects of the investigation to the police. "If you do suspect someone, then call the RCPD; don't discuss it on Facebook. That only spreads misinformation," Hamilton said. "If there is information to be given, then the police will provide it. Otherwise, you're just interfering with the case."

The police have investigated suspicious activity and possible breaking and entering reported by individuals, and the case remains open, Swartz said.

"A lot of work has gone into this active case for the past seven years, and the RCPD has utilized every resource it can," Swartz said.

A concerned citizen's best option is to refer to police information on issues like the alleged rapist, because students easily can cross the legal grounds of libel or harm the reputation of someone who is accused in a public forum, Swartz said.

"The rules of libel would operate the same for Facebook as it would for anything that got published," said Todd Simon, professor of journalism and mass communications.

"If the person accused of the crime could meet the libel tests, he could bring a successful action against the individuals that posted his personal information and picture as well as the social network or blog."

Simon said to prove libel, the defendant must first prove the allegations were false. Then, the defendant must prove defamation of character and damage to the reputation or character, in order to receive monetary compensation.

"This is a very emotional crime, and I know people are frustrated, but misinformation being posted will not help," Swartz said.

"We would encourage anybody that has experienced something suspicious or has seen someone suspicious to call the police department directly."