Police: victim was 15, leading to statutory rape charge

A Peachtree City teen has been charged with statutory rape for having sex “over a period of time” with a 15-year-old girl, police said.

Austin Michael Puddy, 18, of Aster Ridge Trail, Peachtree City was arrested on the charge earlier today, police said.

Puddy is not accused of forcing sex on the victim, police said. But under Georgia law the victim is not considered to have given her consent because she is under the age of 16.

Since Puddy is 18 and within four years of age of the victim, the crime is considered a misdemeanor under current Georgia law.