A man who allegedly attacked a Georgia Tech student at an off-campus apartment Friday morning had been released from jail just two days earlier on multiple misdemeanor stalking charges, according to jail records.
Joshua Manns, 22, of Austell, is back in jail after police say he followed a woman and tried to rape her at the Square on Fifth apartments about 1:15 a.m. Friday.
He had been released from the Fulton County jail Wednesday, nearly four months after he was arrested on multiple stalking charges on Georgia Tech’s campus. Officials have not said if the cases are related.
According to Fulton County court records, Manns pleaded guilty in September in the July 16 stalking case. He was sentenced to 12 months of probation, ordered to pay a $49 monthly probation fee and was told not to have contact with the victims.
Court records show Manns was also ordered to stay away from Georgia Tech’s campus.
Atlanta police say Manns on Friday followed a woman into an elevator and onto her floor before the alleged attack.
“As the victim was opening her door, the suspect forced her inside and began struggling with the victim to pull her clothing off of her,” Atlanta police Officer Lisa Bender said.
The woman started to scream, and that’s when her roommate and the roommate’s boyfriend heard her and ran to her aid, Bender said.
At that point, Manns ran out of the apartment, police said.
Georgia Tech police, which also responded to the scene, identified Manns from the stalking case. A student also told campus police a man matching Manns’ description was in the University House Apartments parking deck.
Georgia Tech police later detained Manns before turning him over to Atlanta police.
Manns faces charges of criminal attempt to commit rape and burglary. He was booked into the Fulton County jail.
The victim was not injured, police said.
Manns has been arrested two other times this year. Atlanta police arrested him in May on a sexual misdemeanor charge. The following month, Georgia State police arrested and charged Manns with criminal trespass and obstruction of law enforcement.
The outcome of both cases is not clear.
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