By Joe Johnson
Detectives on Monday were actively pursuing some “pretty solid leads” in the reported weekend rape of a University of Georgia student, according to Lt. Derek Scott, commanding officer of the Athens-Clarke County police Sex Crimes Unit.
Even so, police are asking anyone with information about the incident to contact Detective Schmidt at (762)-400-7308 or Lt. Scott at (762) 400-7068.
Anonymous calls can be made to the Crime Stoppers confidential tip line (706) 705-4775.
According to police, the 20-year-old student met the suspect and another male in the downtown district and accepted a ride from them.
UGA police indicated in a university-wide Timely Warning email Sunday morning that the student accompanied the males at about 3:20 a.m. to the North Campus parking deck on South Jackson Street, where she got into a car with them that was then driven off of campus and the alleged rape occurred during the ride.
The email noted that at one point, the victim was seen being carried on the back of one of the suspects before entering the car and being driven away.
Police said that one suspect faces a rape charge and both suspects could be charged with kidnapping and other crimes.
The suspects are described as two Latino males. One was said by police to have a medium build with dark curly hair, and was wearing a black button-up Columbia shirt and khaki shorts; the second was described as possibly being in his early 20s, thin with dark hair and wearing blue jeans, boots, a black jacket with a hood and a white shirt.
Anyone who has been sexually assaulted or knows someone who has can contact The Cottage Sexual Assault Center and Children's Advocacy Center. The agency provides a range of free services to child and adult victims of sexual and physical abuse, including medical care, advocacy, referrals, counseling and support groups.
The Cottage also maintains a 24-hour crisis and information hotline at (877) 363-1912. For more information visit www.northgeorgiacottage.org=