Sexual assault suspect’s case being reviewed by grand jury

Claude Finch III, the suspect arrested in connection with sexual assault and stalking incidents that occurred on Southern’s campus last November, is currently awaiting a court date with a grand jury. According to the Hamilton County District Attorney’s office, on January 14, the grand jury was still reviewing Finch’s case.

Last November, Collegedale police arrested Finch as a suspect in connection with the sexual assault that occurred on Southern’s campus. Finch was charged with evading arrest, reckless endangerment and sexual battery. In December, Finch also was charged with stalking due to separate incidents that occurred on campus prior to the sexual assault.

Finch appeared in the Collegedale City Court on December 8. Collegedale City Court Judge Kevin Wilson set Finch’s bond for stalking at $2,000. The amount was in addition to three other charges that were not mentioned publicly during the December 8 court hearing. 

Wilson said if Finch were to make bond on all of the charges, Finch would be required to wear a GPS monitor at all times and have no contact with anyone involved in the case. 

In a phone call with the Accent on January 11, 2022, an individual who answered the phone said the Hamilton County Criminal Court Clerk’s office was unable to confirm if Finch was still spending time at Silverdale Detention Center. Finch’s records were not available on the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office full list of inmates, as of January 17, 2022.