Rape? Former Georgia College Student Sentenced to Prison

According to prosecutors, a former Georgia college student has been sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting three women. Tyree Robert Mew, 25, pled guilty to the three counts of aggravated assault with intent to rape as well as one count of sodomy. He was a student at Kennesaw State University and committed the crimes near the campus between 2016 and 2017. Two of the women were fellow students. Mew will serve 30 years in prison, of which 18 must be in prison and the remainder on probation.

What Is Rape?

A person who engages in sexual acts with another person against his or her will may be guilty of sexual battery, rape, or sodomy in the state of Georgia. In some situations, the behavior may even constitute a sex crime or assault and battery. Some of the sex crimes in Georgia are as follows:

  • Rape. A person commits rape by having sexual intercourse with another person against his or her will and by force. Even slight penetration may constitute intercourse. Threats, physical harm, and intimidation can all constitute force. The victim may be intoxicated, unconscious or asleep, or unable to consent. In addition, Georgia treats spousal rape identically to other types of rape.
  • Sodomy and Aggravated Sexual Battery. A person commits sodomy by having anal or oral sex with another person against his or her consent. Aggravated sexual battery is penetrating a person’s anus or genitals with a foreign object other than the penis without the consent of the other person.
  • Sexual Battery. Sexual battery is when one person makes physical contact with another person’s intimate parts such as their buttocks, breasts, or genitals, without the consent of that person. The severity increases if the victim is less than 16 years of age or there have been previous convictions.

When it comes to any of the above crimes, prior consent to sexual activity is not a defense. However, any prior sexual activity the victim had with the defendant may be admissible for the defense of consent.

Punishment for Sexual Crimes in Georgia

Georgia does not take these crimes lightly. Rape in Georgia is punishable by the death penalty. However, the United States Supreme Court has struck down the death penalty for those committing rape. It is, however, punishable by up to 25 years in prison or life without the possibility of parole.

Sodomy is punishable with up to 20 years in prison; aggravated sodomy is punishable by 25 years in prison. Aggravated sexual battery is also punishable by up to 25 years in prison. If a person guilty of aggravated sodomy or rape gets out of prison, that person must remain on probation the remainder of his or her life.

Sexual battery comes with much more lenient penalties. It is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 12 months in jail and a fine not to exceed $5,000. Convictions for sexual battery against someone under 16 years of age may be punishable by five years in prison. This rule also applies for subsequent convictions beyond the first. In addition, anyone guilty of sodomy, rape, or aggravated sexual battery must register as a sex offender.

How a Criminal Defense Attorney Can Help

With such stiff penalties, it is easy to see why having experienced legal representation is of utmost importance if you are facing sexual charges in the state of Georgia. The attorneys at Lankford & Moore Law have years of experience representing a variety of defendants against criminal charges. Contact them today to schedule a consultation and make sure that you protect your rights.

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Mahatma Gandhi

Lankford & Moore Law in Downtown Lawrenceville

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