By Joe Johnson
A surgeon from Floyd County was recently arrested for allegedly beating and raping a woman in an apartment in west Athens.
Zachary Forrest Solomon, 34, of Rome, was arrested Thursday on charges of rape, aggravated sodomy, aggravated assault, battery and aggravated battery for allegedly assaulting his 27-year-old victim on Oct. 13.
Warrants filed in Athens-Clarke County Magistrate Court allege that Solomon struck the victim in the head and face with an open hands and fists, causing visible bruising, and squeezed her by the neck until she was unable to breathe.
In addition to allegedly raping and sodomizing the woman, warrants indicate Solomon ruptured her eardrum by striking her ear.
According to police, Solomon had been acquainted with the victim.
A cardiothoracic surgeon who lived and practiced in Rome, Solomon reportedly had ties with
Athens because, according to the Rome News-Tribune, Solomon earned his bachelor’s degree at the University of Georgia.
He was being held without bail at the Clarke County Jail as of Tuesday morning.
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.