18-year-old girl hospitalized after being brutally sodomized by three US Navy members at house party

Three service members from the US Navy have been accused of raping an 18-year-old girl at a house party that took place on March 2. The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office announced that 24-year-olds Jonathan Augustus, Michael Billington, and Teddy Diake were arrested on March 5 on the charges of rape and aggravated sodomy. The three Navy personnel were at a house party which took place in the 7000 block of Parker Place in Augusta, Georgia, when the alleged rape took place. 

Newsweek reported that the service members are accused of raping the teen in a bedroom. Arrest warrants that were obtained by the Augusta Chronicle accuse the men of forcefully having sexual intercourse with the alleged victim without her consent.

The newspaper also reported that the teen was taken to University Hospital and was treated for multiple injuries which were not revealed. The authorities also said that the men were identified by other guests who were at the party. They were taken to the sheriff's office to be questioned and were subsequently arrested.

The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office and Naval Criminal Investigative Service are currently investigating the alleged rape. The person who lives in the apartment where the alleged incident occurred told WRDW that he had met the service members only that same night and did not know them personally.

Investigators have also said that it happened at the Lory of Augusta apartments just off Washington Road. Neighbors in the building said that they were shocked to hear that something so sinister had taken place in their quiet community.

The man said that he was asleep when the alleged sexual assault took place. Augustus, Billington, and Diake made their first court appearances in Magistrate Court on March 6 but no bond was set for them. Prison records show that they are currently being held at the Charles B. Webster Detention Center.

The Richmond County Sheriff's Office said that the three men are active members in the US Navy and are stationed at Fort Gordon. The base is reportedly the home of the US Army Cyber Center of Excellence and hosts members of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines.