Two young men, both enrolled as COC students at some point this year, were each arrested Monday on suspicion of rape for separate incidents – one for an alleged sexual assault on the COC campus and the other for an alleged date rape incident during which the alleged victim was drugged.
Azhon Davis, 18, of Lancaster, was arrested Monday when he turned himself over to authorities at the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station, Sgt. Brian Hudson of the Los Angeles County Sheriff Department’s Special Victims Bureau told The Signal Tuesday.
“There was a warrant out for his arrest,” Hudson said. “On Monday, he made arrangements through his lawyer to turn himself in.”
Davis, who attended summer school at College of the Canyons, was arrested shortly before 9 a.m. Monday on suspicion of rape by force or fear, a felony.
Davis – described as six-foot-five and 310 pounds – is accused of attacking a woman on campus earlier this month.
“After the incident was reported on Wednesday, Aug. 2, Assistant Superintendent Michael Wilding notified college employees and students via email that an alleged crime had taken place on campus,” COC spokesman Eric Harnish told The Signal Tuesday.
“We are committed to creating a safe learning environment for students and employees, so our policy is to notify the campus community when we learn that a violent crime has been reported on campus,” he said.
Assualt
Wilding’s “timely notice” email was sent to the “campus community” on the evening of Aug. 2.
It reads: “It has come to our attention that earlier today a male student allegedly coerced or forced a female student into a sexual act against her will. The College of the Canyons Campus Safety Department is issuing this warning to make you aware of the incident and to better enable you to protect yourself while it continues to investigate this incident. “
Wilding shared specifics of the incident in his email, reporting: “The alleged perpetrator, a student, approached a female acquaintance, also a student, and allegedly coerced her into going with him to a secluded location in a campus building.
“When they were alone, he assaulted her. The accused student has been identified and removed from the campus community,” Wilding said. “He has been ordered to stay away from the College and all College events until the case has been completely resolved.”
Davis is not currently enrolled as a student at College of the Canyons for the fall 2017 semester, however he was on campus for summer school, Harnish said.
After his arrest, he was placed in custody with bail set at $100,000.
The accused man posted bail and was released about two and a half hours after his arrest.
He is expected to appear in San Fernando Superior Court.
Date Rape
In a separate and unrelated case, a 20-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of rape with the use of drugs or intoxicants.
Brady John Wood was arrested about 7:45 p.m. Monday by deputies of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station.
“This was a date rape scenario at a private residence in June,” Hudson told The Signal Tuesday.
“He was under investigation since June,” he said.
Wood – described by arresting deputies as having blond hair and blue eyes – was taken into custody with bail set at $100,000.
“Brady Wood is enrolled as a student for the fall 2017 semester,” Harnish told The Signal Tuesday.
“The college, as a matter of policy, issues advisories to students and employees when a violent crime is reported to have taken place on campus and there is reason to believe there could still be a danger to the campus community.
Within three hours of his arrest, Brady posted bail and was released from custody.
He is scheduled to appear in San Fernando Superior Court.
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