By Joe Johnson
A homeless man was recently arrested for allegedly raping a woman in his tent in north Athens.
According to an Athens-Clarke County police report, 34-year-old Relmon Dylan Anderson was charged with rape, false imprisonment, aggravated assault and family violence battery.
The incident was reported by the 52-year-old victim the morning of Nov. 18 from Dollar General on Danielsville Road, to where the victim escaped upon fleeing from Anderson's tent in a nearby wooded area, according to the report.
The report noted that responding officers saw that the woman had a large bump and bruise under her eye that was bleeding and there were scratch marks around her neck.
The woman related that while in Anderson’s tent she tried to leave but he would not let her, blocking the entrance with a bed and armed with a knife, threatening to kill her if she tried to leave, according to the report.
When having to urinate during the night, Anderson reportedly held onto her ankle as she did so outside of the tent, the report noted.
She alleged that also during the night, Anderson raped her twice and used both hands to strangle her to the point she could not breathe, according to the police report, and he also punched her in the face when she tried to leave.
When the woman was able to escape, she grabbed her phone that she said Anderson had under his bed and she called a friend who came to be with her when police arrived at Dollar General, according to the report.
Anderson reportedly explained the injury to the woman’s face by saying he hit her with a water bottle that she had thrown at him. He denied the sexual assault and strangulation allegations.
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.