By Beth Lawrence
A Cullowhee man has been arrested and faces sexual assault charges stemming from an October incident.
Andrew Eric Jones, 23, was arrested for one count each of felony second-degree forcible rape and misdemeanor sexual battery.
Though the alleged rape took place in October, Jones was not arrested until Feb. 27.
The warrant issued for Jones on that date states he engaged in vaginal intercourse “with another person by force and against the will of the other person who was physically helpless, and the defendant knew, should have reasonably known that the other person was physically helpless.”
The forcible sexual battery charge states that Jones forcefully touched, kissed or had vaginal intercourse with the victim “for the purpose of sexual arousal.”
The complaint was originally investigated by Western Carolina University Police.
Second-degree forcible rape is a Class C felony and carries a penalty of 44 to 182 months imprisonment if convicted. Those convicted must also be listed on the sex offender registry as it is considered a sexually violent crime.
Under NCGS 14-27.22-C in North Carolina, if a pregnancy occurs as a result of second-degree forcible rape, “a person convicted under this section has no rights to custody of or rights of inheritance from any child conceived during the commission of the rape, nor does the person have any rights related to the child.”
Misdemeanor sexual battery is a Class A1 misdemeanor and punishable by up to 150 days of active, intermediate, or community punishment such as jail, probation, fines or house arrest.
Jones was booked into the Jackson County Detention Center and later released on a $10,000 bond.
