Franklin Co. Rape Suspect Extradited Back to Ga.

By MJ Kneiser, WLHR Radio, Lavonia

A Kennesaw man charged with the rape of an Emmanuel College student is now behind bars in Franklin County.

According to Franklin County Sheriff Stevie Thomas, 19-year old Anthony Elijah Jones was extradited from Colorado to Georgia earlier this month.

“Jones was arrested in the State of Colorado on March 28 for an outstanding felony warrant in Georgia,” Thomas said. “The arrest and search efforts were conducted by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Region 11 in Athens. The Northern Judicial District Attorney’s office obtained a Governor’s Warrant for Jones. Jones is charged with rape, false imprisonment and tampering with evidence.’

Jones, a former Emmanuel College student, had been on the run since last September after allegedly raping a student on campus.

Warrants for Jones’ arrest were issued by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation who, at the time, believed Jones might have been in the Gainesville area.

Last October, the GBI asked for the public’s help to locate him.

The investigation led to information that Jones might be living in Colorado.

Jones was later found living in the Winter Park area of Colorado in March and was arrested there by the U.S. Marshal’s Office.

Authorities said that during a search of Jones’ pickup, officers recovered a Taurus 9mm pistol, a cell phone, numerous receipts and ammunition.

Meanwhile, Jones was indicted by a Franklin County Grand Jury on charges of rape and false imprisonment.

He remains in the Franklin County Detention Center.