ATHENS, McMINN COUNTY -
(WRCB) – A McMinn County man has been arrested on sexual battery charges.
Deputies arrested 18-year-old William Austin Rowland, of Calhoun, on Friday while appearing in court on a theft charge.
According to McMinn County Sheriff Joe Guy, "the case involves allegations that Rowland sexually assaulted a 10-year-old boy during a sleep-over at a McMinn County residence in November. After being interviewed by McMinn County Sheriff's Detectives regarding the case, Rowland fled to Georgia in a stolen vehicle. After being arrested in the vehicle by Georgia authorities the following day, Rowland was extradited back to McMinn County on theft charges."
The McMinn County Grand Jury issued an indictment on the sexual assault charges this month and Rowland was arrested while in court.
Rowland is currently being held in the McMinn County Justice Center on a $20,000 bond awaiting an appearance in Criminal Court on April 2.
