ATHENS, Ga. — Mattress covers, makeshift cardboard beds and personal belongings remained on the steps of Athens City Hall on Wednesday, days after a University of Georgia student told police she woke up there next to a homeless man. Now, Athens-Clarke County Police is investigating whether the student was sexually assaulted.
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Police say the man identified in the investigation, Timothy Evans, is facing charges of financial transaction card theft, financial transaction card fraud and identity fraud after investigators say he stole and used the student’s debit card. Police have not announced any sexual battery charges in the case but said more charges could be filed after investigators receive crime lab results.
According to a police report, the UGA student told officers she had been out with friends at downtown Athens bars and could not remember how she ended up on the steps of City Hall.
The report states she woke up on cardboard boxes with her skirt turned inside out. She told police she found a man, who appeared to be homeless, next to her performing a sexual act.
Channel 2 Action News found signs that people are still sleeping overnight on City Hall property. Cardboard boxes were arranged as makeshift beds. A mattress cover, blanket, shoes and other belongings were scattered across the patio and public benches.
The discovery is prompting concern among students and parents about safety in downtown Athens.
Students Channel 2’s Ashlynn Webb spoke to say more should be done to improve safety around public spaces, especially downtown.
“There does need to maybe be some more control with where they’re able to be at certain places, just a little more security for the students,” student Olivia Harding said.
Athens-Clarke County Mayor Kelly Girtz acknowledged the situation is troubling but said overnight camping at City Hall is already prohibited under an existing county ordinance.
“It’s not the image that I want of Athens, and it’s not the image that any mayor wants of any city,” Girtz said. “We do know that we are in this affordability crisis.”
Girtz said current rules ban camping in public parks, including City Hall.
“So you can’t camp here overnight,” he said.
When asked why people still appear to be sleeping on the property, Athens-Clarke County police said they are consulting with attorneys to determine how the ordinance can be enforced and what legal limits apply.
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The case comes just weeks after Athens-Clarke County commissioners voted down a proposed countywide ban on camping on sidewalks.
State Rep. Houston Gaines argues local leaders need to give law enforcement more authority and clarity on how to address the issue.
“In this case, it really could have made a difference,” Gaines said.
Girtz said commissioners are expected to consider a revised ordinance in October that would prohibit camping in downtown Athens.
However, he said any enforcement effort must be paired with additional resources and services for people experiencing homelessness.
This is as Bigger Vision of Athens told Channel 2 Action News their 36 beds are filled every night within 10 minutes of opening reservations.
Advantage Behavioral Health Systems in Athens is ending basic-needs services, like showers and laundry, at its Homeless Day Service Center at the end of next month.
Advantage plans to open a 60-day bed shelter for those with mental illness and addiction struggles in February 2027.
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