Residents of Augusta coming together to address safety concerns
The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office is searching for 46-year-old Leland Candidate, wanted for multiple sexual assault charges, including rape and aggravated assault. The incidents occurred during a medical emergency in Augusta. Authorities are requesting public assistance to locate Candidate. This is part of a broader investigation into sexual assault cases in the area, involving several individuals facing similar charges. Community safety remains a priority, and local residents are urged to report any suspicious activities.
Augusta, GA – The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office is actively searching for Leland Candidate, a 46-year-old man wanted for multiple sexual assault charges, including rape and aggravated assault. Candidate is accused of sexually assaulting a woman during a medical emergency that took place on Tuesday in the 400 block of Greene Street in Augusta.
Candidate is described as standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing approximately 200 pounds. The authorities have reported that he was last seen driving a gold 2006 Nissan Murano with South Carolina tag number 137BTU. The sheriff’s office is urging the public to assist in locating Candidate and has requested anyone with information regarding his whereabouts to contact Investigator Foozan Monga or any on-call investigator at 706-821-1020 during business hours. After hours, they can reach out to Dispatch at 706-821-1080.
This incident is part of a more extensive pattern of sexual assault cases currently being investigated in Richmond County. In a separate case, Erik S. Corbin, aged 27, faces charges of rape stemming from an incident on February 3. The victim reported that Corbin contacted her under the pretense of picking up Virginia Tech clothing but was allegedly raped once she entered his home. Following a forensic examination at Augusta Health, Corbin was arrested on April 3 and is currently held without bond at Middle River Regional Jail.
Another alarming incident involves Christopher Winstead, 42, who has been charged with rape, aggravated sodomy, and kidnapping. Winstead is accused of assaulting his girlfriend after she sought assistance while experiencing seizure symptoms on May 14. The woman reported that she had been sexually assaulted during this medical episode. Winstead remains in custody without bond at the Charles B. Webster Detention Center.
In another case highlighting the troubling trend of sexual violence, David Han has been arrested for allegedly raping a 17-year-old girl. The incident occurred after Han reportedly bought alcohol for the victim on March 22, making her feel nauseous and unsteady. Instead of returning her to her dorm, Han allegedly took her to his apartment, where the assault occurred.
In addition to these cases, an inspiring yet unrelated story emerged from the area as well. Sara Daoud, a seventh-grader at Greenbrier Middle School, advanced in the national spelling bee after completing a test on Wednesday, marking a notable achievement in the community.
Lastly, in a separate legal matter, Burke County business owner Daniel Blount Cates has been sentenced to three years and seven months in prison for violating federal probation terms, underscoring the ongoing legal challenges faced by various individuals in the region.
The Richmond County authorities continue to work diligently to address these serious allegations and ensure community safety. They encourage all residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities or relevant information regarding these cases as they come to light.
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