Tyler Assault Suspect Arrested

TYLER — One person has been arrested following a report of a woman being assaulted on the campus of U.T Tyler. Shortly before 9:15 Tuesday night, she was jogging on Varsity Drive at Old Omen Road when the assault occurred. The woman told officers a man grabbed her and attempted to drag her toward the tree line between Old Omen Road and parking lot 7. The man began groping the victim’s vaginal area and breasts. The victim screamed several times. A passing motorist noticed the incident taking place and slowed down. At that time, the offender released the victim and ran from the scene toward parking lot 7.

The University of Texas at Tyler police have arrested in the case Dearion Deshon Dews, 19. He was booked into the Smith County Jail last night on the charge of attempted sexual assault. His bond was set at $100,000 by Judge Randall Rogers. Neither the victim nor the suspect are U.T. Tyler Students.

According to U.T. Tyler Police Chief Mike Medders, “A University of Texas at Tyler police officer located an individual near the scene of the crime matching the description given by the victim. Evidence was obtained in relation to the offense, and the suspect subsequently confessed.”