Authorities: 2 men rape WKU student in Nashville, use victim’s credit card at Waffle House

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A man is in custody after authorities say a Western Kentucky University student reported she was raped by two men in Nashville before they later stole her credit card and used it at multiple locations.

Joseph Farmer, 36, is charged with kidnapping (aggravated), rape (aggravated, aiding and abetting), five counts of fraudulent use of a credit card, theft of property and two counts of possession of exchange of a controlled substance, among other charges. Additional details on the second suspect have not yet been released.

On Friday, May 5, an affidavit from the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office says authorities responded to the Metro Nashville Police Department’s Madison police precinct to speak with the victim, who reported she has been raped the night prior.

Authorities say the victim told them she was out with a friend at Honky Tonk Central on Broadway in downtown Nashville when her memory became foggy. She said she believes she was drugged, according to the affidavit.

The woman said her next memory was in a Jeep Grand Cherokee with two males she did not recognize, authorities say. During the next couple of hours, authorities say the victim says the two men repeatedly raped her despite her telling them “no” and “stop, get off.” She said she was not able to put up significant physical resistance and was not immediately released despite expressing she needed to leave, according to the affidavit. Authorities say the woman said she also recalls the two men going to a bank and withdrawing money from her bank account.

Authorities say bank surveillance also later allowed them to match the vehicle, victim and two male suspects. In addition, authorities say they identified Farmer in a Facebook photo with the other suspect.

The victim was later dropped off before the suspects used her credit card at several locations, including a charge of $83.22 at a Shell gas station and $12 at Waffle House.

During an interview on May 13 with Farmer, authorities say he eventually claimed he had consensual sex with the victim after denying knowing her. He also said he stopped at a Shell and Waffle House but did not mention using her card at those locations, according to authorities. He was arrested the same day.

Farmer remains in custody and is not eligible for release at this current time.

This is a developing story.