A 19-year-old Athens man is facing serious charges after a University of Georgia (UGA) student reported being sexually assaulted behind a downtown building early Saturday, according to authorities. Athens-Clarke County officers were called to the area near North Thomas Street in the early morning hours, and police say the case remains an active investigation after a suspect was identified and taken into custody.
Charges And Where It Happened
Investigators say 19-year-old Tydarius Wingfield approached the student, offered to walk her home, then forced her behind a building and assaulted her, according to Atlanta News First. Athens-Clarke County jail records list charges of kidnapping, aggravated sexual battery, battery and rape. Officials have not released information about bond or court dates as the investigation continues.
UGA Sends Community Alert
In a community notification pushed through the UGA Safe app, UGA Police said the assault happened at about 1:25 a.m. near 520 North Thomas Street and reported that "the male pushed her to the ground behind the parking lot for the establishment located at 520 North Thomas Street and sexually assaulted her." UGA urged students and residents to stay alert and to report suspicious activity right away.
Police Used Downtown Cameras To Identify Suspect
Athens-Clarke officers told Atlanta News First that they relied on the Real Time Crime Center's downtown camera network to track the suspect's movements and make an identification. It remains unclear whether Wingfield is a current or former UGA student, the outlet reported.
How To Help
UGA's community notification asks anyone with information to contact the Athens-Clarke County Police Department or the University of Georgia Police Department. Officials are also urging anyone who may have video or other evidence from the area to come forward as the investigation continues.
