Suspect arrested in Adams Farm sexual assault

Greensboro police have charged an 18-year-old man in a sexual assault that took place in broad daylight against a 14-year-old girl who had gotten off the school bus in the Adams Farm neighborhood.

Police say the girl got off the bus at Bridle Ridge Parkway and Adams Ridge Drive, and was sexually assaulted as she was turning down Sanderling Place, which is two blocks away, at 12:45 p.m. on Jan. 26. Police have charged Darius Jamel Mims with first-degree sexual offense, second-degree kidnapping and indecent liberties with a minor. Mims is being held in the Guilford County jail under a $100,000 bond.

The incident took place in a densely developed residential area two blocks from a running and walking trail. Today, a UPS truck could be seen making rounds in the area.

Mims lived at Abbington Place Apartments near the intersection of Bridford Parkway and Hilltop Road, within two miles of the scene of the crime. Lt. Dennis Willoughby said Mims had lived Illinois, and he was not sure if he was staying with family members in Greensboro recently.

Willoughby credited the victim, who police are not identifying considering that she is a minor, for coming forward and giving police information that allowed them to locate a suspect. He also said a tip from a citizen through CrimeStoppers was helpful.

Willoughby thanked “the courageous victim,” adding that “she was very brave throughout this ordeal, and she was vital to bringing this case to a successful resolution.”

Willoughby said that detectives continue to investigate the crime, and that Mims is not cooperating with questions.

The lieutenant said the suspect engaged the victim in conversation prior to the assault. He characterized the incident as “a very violent crime,” but declined out of respect for the victim to describe it in detail. The crime did not rise to the level of forcible rape, which involves intercourse.

“I was very distraught,” Willoughby said. “You know, I have children. I think most of us have young folks in the community who we’re familiar with, and this person could have preyed upon any of us. And we were just really ecstatic to get this gentleman off the street.”

Willoughby said police believe there cars passed the intersection while the incident was occurring, but whether people recognized it as a crime and failed to report it remains unclear.