Adam Anderson formally charged by Athens-Clarke County police
Georgia linebacker Adam Anderson voluntarily surrendered to the police on Wednesday evening after being formally charged with rape by Athens-Clarke County police. Anderson had been suspended by the team while under investigation for a previous rape allegation.
Adam Anderson charged
“Georgia’s Adam Anderson has been charged with rape by Athens-Clarke County police,” detailed The Athletic’s Seth Emerson on Wednesday evening. “He ‘voluntarily surrendered’ this evening, per his lawyer, who mains that Anderson ‘is innocent of the charge brought against him and intends to vigorously defend himself in court.'”
Previously Anderson and his attorney met with the UGA Equal Opportunity Office, which handles the school’s sexual assault policy, on Friday of last week. Afterward, Adam Anderson’s attorney sent a letter to Georgia associate athletic director Darrice Griffin asking to lift the suspension.
ESPN college football insider Mark Schlabach offered an update on the developing story during his appearance on College GameDay Saturday morning.
“Steve Sadow, Adam Anderson’s attorney, sent an email to the UGA athletic department on Friday requesting that it immediately reconsider his suspension because there’s been no conclusion to the legitimacy of the alleged sexual assault,” said Schlabach. “I was texting with Sadow just a little while ago. He told me Georgia has not responded and he doesn’t know where it’s going.”
He continued: “The Athens Clark County Police Department told me earlier this week that they’re just in the infancy of this investigation. UGA’s Equal Opportunity office has opened its own investigation. Anderson and his attorney met with that office on Friday. Talking with attorneys from this area who are familiar with the process, they said it could be weeks if not months. So certainly, it’s going to be awhile before Adam Anderson is back on the football field.”
Details on allegations against Anderson
Police records show a 21-year-old female told police she went to an Athens residence from 12 a.m. to 7 a.m. Oct. 29 after having drinks. She woke up while Anderson was penetrating her while lying in bed. The female said it was non-consensual and she was able to leave.
The Athens Banner-Herald reports no arrest has been made as of Thursday night. The report also said potential charges remained unclear, although now Anderson has been officially charged by the police.
“We are aware of the report and we don’t comment on law enforcement matters, but I’ve been clear about the high standards we have for our student-athletes on and off the field,” Georgia head coach Kirby Smart said in a statement Thursday night. “I will be working closely with our administration to ensure we cooperate fully with all law enforcement and campus protocols.”
On3’s James Fletcher III contributed to this article.