A 21-year-old man who traveled from Georgia to Marion County to meet a woman in person, several months after they met online, has been arrested after he allegedly raped her inside her home several times over the course of multiple days.
On Friday, March 7, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office learned that a Georgia resident, identified as Aidan Burke Sasser, had traveled to Marion County to meet an adult female victim. The arrest report stated that his family had reported him missing.
The victim told deputies that she had met Sasser “on social media.” She advised that when Sasser arrived in Marion County, she “snuck (him) into her room.” While at her home, she claimed that Sasser raped her on three occasions, according to the report.
The first sexual battery incident occurred on Monday, March 3. The victim stated that after “kiss(ing) each other consensually,” Sasser and the victim went to bed. She claimed that she “woke to (Sasser) removing her clothes” and “forcefully penetrating her” with his penis.
During that first incident, the victim told Sasser that she wanted him to stop, but he allegedly ignored her. After several minutes, he “finally concluded” and went to sleep, according to the victim’s statement.
On Tuesday, March 4, the victim told detectives that a similar incident occurred. She described waking up to Sasser removing her clothes, and he then allegedly proceeded to rape her. When she asked him to stop, Sasser allegedly told her, “No, I’m going to keep going.”
The second incident also ended with Sasser falling asleep.
Two days later, on Thursday, March 6, the victim alleged that Sasser raped her a third time after removing her clothing. She further stated that Sasser had consumed alcoholic beverages around the time of the three sexual battery incidents, according to the report.
A deputy noted in the report that “alcoholic beverage containers” were collected at the incident location, which seemed to corroborate the victim’s statements.
After being read his Miranda rights, Sasser told deputies that he had traveled from Georgia to meet the victim, who was an “online friend.” He initially claimed that he spent several days at the victim’s home because he “liked” her,” though he later claimed that he was “held there against his will,” according to the report.
The report mentioned that the victim had left the home for hours while Sasser was there, which made it unlikely that she was holding him there against his will. In addition, the report stated that Sasser had “made a significant personal effort to travel to and then hide in (the victim’s) residence.”
During the post-Miranda interview, Sasser admitted to having sex with the victim, though he claimed the encounters were “consensual.” The report stated that tears were observed in Sasser’s eyes when an investigator informed him that he would be arrested if the evidence showed that he had engaged in “non-consensual sexual activity” with the victim.
The following day, Sasser spoke with the victim during a recorded phone call. The victim told him, “You need to not do it when I tell you not to do it,” referring to sexual intercourse. Sasser allegedly let out a “big sigh” before saying he was “sorry” and ending the conversation, according to the report.
Sasser was arrested and transported to Marion County Jail, where he is currently being held on a $30,000 bond. He is being charged with three counts of sexual battery involving physical force not likely to cause serious injury.
On Tuesday, April 8, Sasser is scheduled to appear in court at 9 a.m., according to jail records.