ATHENS, Ga. — A former University of Georgia football standout's case is now dismissed, nearly two years after he was arrested on a felony rape charge.
"We have determined that it is in the interests of protecting the victim from additional trauma to dismiss the case," a spokesperson from the Athens-Clarke & Oconee Counties Office of the District Attorney said.
According the district attorney's office, Rambo's case was dismissed Tuesday via nolle prosequi — this means prosecutors are voluntarily ending a criminal case before a trial, according to the Cornell Law School Legal Information Institute.
"There is a general difficulty in proving lack of consent in cases without physical evidence, especially when the two parties know one another," the spokesperson told 11Alive.
Rambo was arrested in 2020. Athens-Clarke County Police said at the time he was accused of raping a 21-year-old at an Athens residence.
The district attorney's office said the dismissal was signed this week after seeking input from the alleged victim and discussing options.
"The victim agrees with the result and will be offered continued resources," they said.
Rambo as been exonerated of all criminal liability in this case, his attorney Kim Stephens wrote in a statement.
"We worked hard to fully investigate Mr. Rambo’s case and to fully vet the case with the prosecutors assigned to the case. We are happy the State recognized that dismissal of this case was appropriate. Mr. Rambo is relieved that his good name and reputation have been restored and justice done," Stephens said.
The dismissal does not serve as an acquittal, according to the spokesperson, and the case could potentially be reviewed for prosecution if "evidence or a change of circumstances occurs" within the statute of limitations.
