By Joe Johnson
A Clarke County grand jury this week indicted a surgeon for the alleged rape of a woman in Athens two years ago.
Zachary Forrest Solomon, 35, was arrested in October 2019 following an investigation by Athens-Clarke County police into a 27-year-old woman’s report that Solomon assaulted her four days earlier at an apartment in west Athens.
Warrants filed in Athens-Clarke County Magistrate Court allege that Solomon struck the victim in the head and face with an open hand and fists, causing visible bruising and a ruptured eardrum.
In addition to allegedly raping and sodomizing the woman, warrants indicate Solomon allegedly squeezed her by the neck until she was unable to breathe, the warrants allege,
The grand jury on Tuesday charged Solomon for rape, aggravated battery, aggravated sodomy, peeping Tom and battery, according to the indictment filed in Superior Court.
At the time of the alleged assault, Solomon was a cardiothoracic surgeon who lived and practiced in Rome.
Police said he and the victim knew each other, and court records indicate Solomon had ties with Athens because he earned his bachelor’s degree at the University of Georgia.
The alleged assault occurred Oct, 13, 2019 in the victim's home on Woodlake Drive, according to court documents.
The peeping Tom charge is from Solomon allegedly invading the victim’s privacy by entering her bedroom and masturbating, the indictment states.
By striking the woman in the head, he caused a tympanic membrane perforation, and he committed aggravated sodomy by forcing the victim to give him oral sex, the indictment alleges.
Solomon remains free on a $5,700 cash bond, and the former Floyd County resident moved to Philadelphia where he awaited indictment of his case, according to court records. He surrendered his passport as a condition of bond.
Solomon is due back in Athens on Aug. 30, when he is scheduled to be arraigned.
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.