2008 Woodie Awards
Rape charge under investigation
Chloe Morrison
Issue date: 1/13/05 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
According to UTC crime statistics, there have only been four forcible sex offenses since 2001 that have occurred on campus, however there have been two incidents involving rape allegations at UTC Place since November.
According to a UTC Police report Justin Otis, a Martinez, Ga., freshman was arrested on Nov. 28 after a woman accused him of having nonconsensual sex with her.
D.L. Mac McNeely, UTC chief of police, said evidence in the case is currently being processed and depending on the results, the case will either be dismissed or will go to the Grand Jury. McNeely said he could not comment further on the specifics of the case.
"It is unfortunate that these types of things occur on campus," McNeely said. "We do what we are required by law to do [to deal with these types of incidents.]"
The most recent incident involving rape allegations occurred the day after Christmas at UTC Place. Jokari Pugh, the brother of UTC student, Alphonso Pugh, and a Lee University student, was charged with rape. The woman involved pulled the fire alarm to summon police. The charges were later dropped because the female involved did not want to go forth with the case.
Chuck Cantrell, assistant vice chancellor of university relations, "UTC has been [active in communicating] to students the issues that are there and [has made] sure we create an environment where [students] feel free to come forward and that is a very positive thing," he said.
Cantrell said the two recent rape allegations don't reflect a problem with safety on campus.
"The numbers don't reflect a less safe campus, but they reflect a more aware campus," he said.
UTC's Campus Safety and Law Enforcement manual outlines steps students should take when reporting a sexual offense and list programs aimed at preventing sexual offenses.
Additionally, McNeely said there are specific steps that are taken when a rape allegation is made.
He said when an incident occurs, UTC Police notify the Chattanooga city police, but that if the incident happened on campus, UTC Police must take control of the investigation. Once the alleged victim signs an affidavit of arrest, the police must make the arrest. Bond is then set, an initial hearing is scheduled and the case could either be passed to a later date in order to review evidence or is dismissed, depending on evidence.
According to a UTC Police report Justin Otis, a Martinez, Ga., freshman was arrested on Nov. 28 after a woman accused him of having nonconsensual sex with her.
D.L. Mac McNeely, UTC chief of police, said evidence in the case is currently being processed and depending on the results, the case will either be dismissed or will go to the Grand Jury. McNeely said he could not comment further on the specifics of the case.
"It is unfortunate that these types of things occur on campus," McNeely said. "We do what we are required by law to do [to deal with these types of incidents.]"
The most recent incident involving rape allegations occurred the day after Christmas at UTC Place. Jokari Pugh, the brother of UTC student, Alphonso Pugh, and a Lee University student, was charged with rape. The woman involved pulled the fire alarm to summon police. The charges were later dropped because the female involved did not want to go forth with the case.
Chuck Cantrell, assistant vice chancellor of university relations, "UTC has been [active in communicating] to students the issues that are there and [has made] sure we create an environment where [students] feel free to come forward and that is a very positive thing," he said.
Cantrell said the two recent rape allegations don't reflect a problem with safety on campus.
"The numbers don't reflect a less safe campus, but they reflect a more aware campus," he said.
UTC's Campus Safety and Law Enforcement manual outlines steps students should take when reporting a sexual offense and list programs aimed at preventing sexual offenses.
Additionally, McNeely said there are specific steps that are taken when a rape allegation is made.
He said when an incident occurs, UTC Police notify the Chattanooga city police, but that if the incident happened on campus, UTC Police must take control of the investigation. Once the alleged victim signs an affidavit of arrest, the police must make the arrest. Bond is then set, an initial hearing is scheduled and the case could either be passed to a later date in order to review evidence or is dismissed, depending on evidence.
