A Gainesville man is in the Hall County Jail facing charges related to an alleged kidnapping and sexual assault in August 2019.
The Hall County Sheriff's Office says Luis Eduardo Perez, 18, is charged with kidnapping, false imprisonment, aggravated sodomy, battery and two counts of sexual battery in the case, which spokesman Derreck Booth said began on January 21 when the victim disclosed the incident to a teacher.
"According to the initial investigation, the victim accepted a ride home from school from Perez, a fellow student," Booth said. "While on the road, he touched intimate body parts of the victim without her consent."
Booth said the unnamed victim resisted Perez's advancements during the ride, both verbally and physically.
Perez reportedly kept the vehicle doors locked throughout this encounter in order to prevent the victim from escaping.
"Perez drove the victim to a secluded location in the 600-block of Moreno Street. He then attempted to force her to perform an act of sodomy," Booth continued. "When the victim physically resisted, Perez hit the victim in her face with his closed fist, resulting in bruising."
Perez is said to have eventually relented and he drove the victim home.
Booth said that as of Friday afternoon, Perez remained in custody at the Hall County Jail, and that the Sheriff's Office is continuing to investigate the allegations.
