A Fulton County judge denied bond Thursday to a man accused in two sexual assaults, including one inside a popular Midtown nightclub.
Dominique Williams, 34, faces an aggravated sodomy charge in an alleged sexual assault against Jasmine Eiland inside Opera nightclub. In that case, authorities said Williams sexually assaulted Eiland on the dance floor before taking her to an outside patio area and attacking her again. Eiland inadvertently streamed video of the attack on Facebook Live.
He also faces a rape charge after an Atlanta police officer testified this week that Williams sexually assaulted another woman at his South Fulton home in September.
On Thursday, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Rachel Krause heard arguments from prosecutors and Williams’ attorney and decided he was “a significant risk to the community.”
Williams’ attorney Shequel Ross argued Atlanta police had not conducted a full investigation into the Midtown sexual assault or spoken to any witnesses of the alleged crime.
Ross said Williams, an Army veteran, was a father of two who works for a security company and doesn’t pose a threat.
“This is a guy who protects his country and his community,” Ross said.
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
But prosecutors alleged Williams, who was also a Lyft driver, is a threat to the community. Williams’ case will go before a grand jury on April 29.
"These allegations are deeply disturbing. From day one, the safety of the Lyft community has been our top priority,” Lyft said in an emailed statement Thursday to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “While the incidents described did not involve the Lyft platform, we have permanently deactivated the individual. We also stand ready to assist law enforcement."
The judge’s order came as a relief to Sabrina Peterson, who organized a support rally outside Opera after footage of Eiland’s sexual assault was circulated online.
“I pray that she gets the justice she deserves,” Peterson told a group of reporters outside the courtroom Thursday.
Earlier this week, Eiland filed a lawsuit against Opera nightclub alleging security was inadequate the night she was sexually assaulted.
The nightclub’s attorney, Bryan Knight, said the venue is cooperating with the investigation. “The safety of all our guests is our main priority and we have always upheld the highest standard of security each night.
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