Students charged with sexual battery

Three UTC students were arrested Tuesday and charged with aggravated sexual battery and aggravated kidnapping of another student. 

Kosygin Jones, from Ootewah, Tenn., Kysean Neal, from Chattanooga, and Samuel Wright,  from Riverdale, Ga., were arrested without incident after the alleged victim told police she was held against her will Monday in the on-campus apartment of one of the accused men, University Police Chief Robert Ratchford said.

According to the police report, "They (the three accused) forcibly held said victim to the ground and poured a lotion substance onto her person and groped her breast and vagina with their hands."

The three accused then allegedly pulled on the victims clothes in order to remove them and grope her further, according to the report.

However, the victim was able to escape from her attackers and her clothing remained intact, according to the report.

Ratchford said the victim received multiple bruises and scratches from the attack.

"She was able to fend off the assailants and leave the area to where her roommates met her, and she could get to people she trusted," Ratchford said. "Fortunately she was able to fend her attackers off."

According to the report, the victim sustained bruises to her left arm, right arm, shoulder and thigh.

The victim also told police she had pain and redness in her eyes, which she said was a result of having lotion forcibly rubbed in her face by the three men during the attack.

Ratchford said the attack was not a typical assault of a woman out on her own, rather it was an attack from an aquantance.

"The victim was not walking alone, she was not out walking by herself at nighttime," he said. "This was a different type of scenario. It was an acquaintance type of assault."

Ratchford said officers are currently looking into whether or not the three charged men could have involvement with any prior crimes. 

"We are looking at any type of connection to prior activity," he said.

The University police are being aided in the case by the Chattanooga Police Department, Ratchford said. 

However, he said, University police are taking the lead in the investigation.

"Obviously, this incident does not represent the type of environment we want for our students," Chuck Cantrell, associate vice chancellor for communication and marketing, said. "A safe living and learning environment is essential. We appreciate the swift action by the UTC Police in apprehending the suspects. We want students to feel comfortable to report criminal activity, and our response demonstrates that we do not tolerate this type of activity on our campus."

Ratchford said any student who finds themselves in a situation where safety becomes a question should not hesitate to call campus police and ask for help.

"If you find yourself alone, be sure if you don't feel comfortable to call us for an escort," he said. "We will be glad to send someone to meet you."

Students should call campus dispatchers at 423-425-4357 for assistance.