Suspect charged with raping UGA student in downtown Athens

The Athens-Clarke County Police Department has released the following:

On February 28, 2026, at approximately 1:38 AM, ACCPD officers responded to a report of a

rape that occurred in the area of 400 North Thomas Street.

The investigation determined that 19-year-old Tydarius Wingfield, of Athens, GA, approached

the female victim, who is a UGA student and unknown to Wingfield, and requested to walk her

home. During the interaction, Wingfield forced the female behind a building where he sexually

assaulted her.

ACCPD investigators utilized the Real Time Crime Center’s (RTCC) downtown camera system to

observe the incident location, as well as the movements of the victim and Wingfield. Officers

were able to track Wingfield throughout the downtown area following the incident and

positively identify him using RTCC technology.

Subsequently, Wingfield was brought to ACCPD where he was later charged with Kidnapping,

Aggravated Sexual Battery, Battery, and Rape.

The incident remains under active investigation. Anyone with information related to this case is

encouraged to contact Detective Burgamy at Charles.Burgamy@accgov.com or 762-400-7173.