JENNINGS COUNTY — A Columbus man is accused of raping a woman at a Jennings County home last week.
William Jacob Lane Wyatt, 32, of 2389 Applegate Drive, Columbus, was arrested Feb. 6 by the Jennings County Sheriff’s Department on felony charges of rape, incest and sexual battery, court documents state.
Deputies were dispatched to the report of the rape in rural Jennings County at 4:30 p.m. Feb. 6 , according to a probable cause affidavit filed in court Thursday.
The victim told deputies that Wyatt was visiting when he “overpowered” her, trapped her in a hallway, and raped her, according to the affidavit. After the rape, Wyatt went to a bathroom before the victim retrieved a gun and forced Wyatt to leave, the affidavit states.
The victim told police that Wyatt was living in Applegate Apartments with another family member, and that he drove a maroon Malibu that had a missing headlight, the affidavit stated. The victim gave investigators consent to search the home, and deputies were also given clothing as evidence, according to police.
Security footage was also provided to deputies, which showed Wyatt leaving the residence at 4:30 p.m.
The victim was transported to Schneck Medical Center in Seymour for a sexual assault examination, the affidavit says.
Deputies located Wyatt’s car and questioned him at Applegate Apartments in Columbus. When asked about the incident, Wyatt stated “he did not know what (the officers) were talking about,” the affidavit says. Wyatt also “completely failed to acknowledge or answer the question” if he had been to the Jennings County residence, the affidavit says.
Wyatt was arrested and is being held at the Jennings County Jail without bond. His initial hearing will be held via Zoom on Feb. 19 at 10:30 a.m.
For more on this story, see Saturday’s Republic.
