By Joe Johnson
Athens-Clarke County police on Wednesday released a more recent photograph of a Franklin County man who is accused of raping a University of Georgia student last weekend.
When announcing on Tuesday that they had obtained warrants for the arrest of 19-year-old Dionicio Guadarrama of Carnesville, police only had a photo of the suspect that was a few years old.
The second photo that was released was taken last year and more accurately depicts Guadarrama as he would appear today.
Police have asked the public’s help in locating the suspect, who was believed to have fled the area.
Guadarrama is wanted on charges of rape, aggravated sexual battery, and sexual battery.
According to Athens-Clarke County police Capt. Christopher Nichols, Guadarrama was with another male early Sunday morning when they met the 20-year-old victim on a sidewalk in downtown Athens and struck up a conversation.
Nichols said it 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 deck 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, Nichols said.
According to Nichols, investigators know the identity of the driver and his whereabouts, but the case continued to be 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, who is commanding officer of the Criminal Investigations Division.
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.or=