LAX COURTHOUSE — A Malibu man who was accused of sexually assaulting a Santa Monica College student in April at the campus library was released on his own recognizance Thursday after DNA test results came back negative and did not yield a match.
Chase Guy Reynolds, 40, was arrested April 7 and charged 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 stemming from the alleged incident that took place several days earlier. He was taken into custody after a woman contacted authorities about having seen a man who closely resembled a composite sketch of the suspect. He was detained as he left the library near the location where the assault reportedly occurred, police said.
He was later identified by the victim, then a 19-year-old SMC student.
“We believe that the DNA evidence totally exonerates him and we expect they will dismiss the case, but they haven’t made a final decision on that basis yet,” defense attorney, Greg Humphries, said.
The assault reportedly took place as the victim exited the restroom at the SMC library on April 4 where the suspect allegedly pinned her against the wall, stealing her house key and fleeing when startled by an announcement over the intercom, police said.
SMPD Sgt. Jay Trisler said the case is still under investigation.
“The person was arrested not because of DNA but because of statements that led us to believe this was the suspect,” Trisler said.
Reynolds is due back in court on Sept. 29 for a preliminary hearing.
