Athens-Clarke County police Tuesday evening announced they had obtained warrants charging a Franklin County man with the rape of a University of Georgia student last weekend.
ACCPD investigators obtained warrants for Dionicio Guadarrama, 19 of Carnesville, for rape, aggravated sexual battery, and sexual battery, according to Capt. Christopher Nichols, commanding officer of the Criminal Investigations Division.
Police were actively searching for the suspect, who investigators believe may have fled the area, Nichols said.
Police did not have a current photo of the suspect but they released one that was several years old.
According to Nichols, Guadarrama was with another male early Sunday morning when they struck up a conversation with the 20-year-old victim on a sidewalk in downtown Athens.
Nichols was unclear whether the student asked for a ride home or the men offered a ride, but he said the trio made their way to UGA’s North Campus parking where the student got into a car with the belief she was getting a ride home.
With the other man driving, the vehicle left the parking deck and Guadarrama raped her as the car traveled somewhere off campus, the police official said.
According to Nichols, investigators know the identity of the driver and his whereabouts, but the case continued to be “very actively” investigated and it remained to be seen if the second male will face criminal charges.
Detectives learned the identities of Guadarrama and the other man from a combination of surveillance video footage of their car, physical evidence and investigative leads that detectives developed, according to Nichols
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Guadarrama should contact the Athens-Clarke County Police Department at (706) 546-5900 or call 911.
Anonymous calls can be made to the Crime Stoppers confidential tip line at (706) 705-4775.
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