AN ALPHA TAU OMEGA FRATERNITY MEMBER at the University of Central Florida was arrested Monday after police say a woman was raped during a party in July.
Another man sought in frat party attack
A fraternity member at the University of Central Florida was arrested Monday after police say a woman was raped during a party in July.
UCF police say the incident happened last month when the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity hosted a “New Years in July Party,” an arrest affidavit said.
Alexander Emilio Garces, 22, faces charges of sexual battery and kidnap or false imprisonment. Police are also investigating a second person in connection with the incident, records show.
A woman told police she was at the party July 22 with friends when she met Garces and a second man, the report said.
Garces asked her to go upstairs with another man, who is a UCF graduate, authorities said.
She told police she felt comfortable because of her past friendship with Garces and went into a bedroom on the second floor. The woman said Garces turned on music as the second man locked the door, an arrest report states.
She said that Garces forced her to the floor to perform a sex act on him, adding she thought if she did what he wanted he would let her leave and “nothing more would happen,” the arrest affidavit said.
He then got “aggressive” and she tried to pull away, an arrest report states.
That’s when police say the second man, who hasn’t been named, got involved.
The second man is accused of forcing the woman onto the bed, pinning her down and raping her, police said.
She tried screaming but the man covered her mouth then used his other hand and wrapped it around her throat, an arrest report states.
Alpha Tau Omega released a statement Tuesday, explaining that it’s working with police and immediately suspended Garces.
“ATO is conducting an internal investigation ...,” the statement reads. “The party was approved by UCF and held in accordance to strict university guidelines.”
It is not clear whether the fraternity is under any review, but it has been disciplined in the past because of rowdy parties and hazing allegations.