CHAPEL HILL – The UNC Department of Public Safety arrested Rafael Sierra Gaona, 55, early Tuesday morning on charges of second-degree rape related to an incident that occurred at the State Employees Credit Union House on Mason Farm Road Friday evening.

DPS sent out a message to campus through Alert Carolina on Saturday warning people of the incident. According to DPS spokesperson, Randy Young, the victim was not a UNC student nor affiliated with the University.

Janice McAdams, SECU Family House executive director, released a statement to WCHL Tuesday:

“At the SECU Family House, our mission is to care for families as they cope with serious illness.  We are grieved by the events that occurred Friday evening.  This is a deplorable act. It violates the sense of community and safety that has been the hallmark of SECU Family House the last 5 years.

We are not at liberty to disclose facts of the case that might compromise the police investigation.  However, we are truly grateful to law enforcement and the community for their help in finding this person.

SECU Family House continues to be a safe place for families, visitors, and volunteers.”

The SECU Family House provides a place to stay for families of patients who are being treated for critical illness or injury at UNC Hospitals.

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