AIRPORT COURTHOUSE — A Malibu man accused of sexually assaulting a Santa Monica College student in the campus library pleaded not guilty to felony charges on Thursday.
The L.A. County District Attorney’s Office charged Chase Guy Reynolds, 40, with two counts of sexual battery by restraint, one count of attempted sexual penetration by a foreign object and one count of second degree robbery in the alleged incident on April 4.
He faces up to 13 years in state prison if found guilty. He is due back in court on May 13 to set his preliminary hearing.
The prosecution was seeking a $250,000 bail.
Reynolds was arrested on Tuesday after a woman contacted campus police about having seen a man who closely resembled a composite sketch of the suspect, which was released the previous day. Police detained the suspect as he left the library near the location where the alleged assault occurred. He was later identified by both the witness and victim, a 19-year-old SMC student.
SMPD Lt. Darrell Lowe said that he is unsure whether Reynolds is currently enrolled at SMC, but noted that the college does have his records on file.
The assault reportedly took place as the victim exited a restroom at the SMC library. The suspect is accused of pinning her against a nearby wall. Police said the suspect, who also stole the victim’s house key, fled when he was startled by an announcement over the intercom.
Jane Robison, spokeswoman for the district attorney, said the suspect had allegedly approached the victim a previous time. The charges relate to the April 4 incident.
Lowe said the two individuals did not have a previous relationship.
“She had seen him in the library, but they were not friends,” Lowe said. “This was not an acquaintance type situation; I would categorize him as a recognized stranger.”
Police did not have information on Reynolds’ occupation. Lowe said that the suspect was uncooperative with investigators and invoked his right to remain silent.
Reynolds does not have a criminal background but police have reached out to other local college campuses to see if there have been similar incidents.
“At this point in time we are not aware of his involvement in any other cases,” Lowe said. “Obviously if anyone has information, we ask that they please come forward to the SMPD or to their local campus police because often times these types of incidents go unreported by victims for a number of reasons.”
melodyh@www.smdp.com
