Southern University employee accused of drugging, raping woman on campus

BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) — A Southern University employee was arrested on a rape charge in June after an investigation by campus police.

Southern University Police Department investigators met with the victim at a hospital who said she was drugged and raped by Anthony Varnado, 59, of Baton Rouge, a campus custodian.

The woman told police she drank vodka and smoked marijuana with Varnado on May 29 while washing her clothes on campus, arrest documents said. According to arrest documents, she said her body and mood started to change as if she was drugged.

While in the apartment, the victim said she started to blackout and tried to stop Varnado’s advances until she lost consciousness, an affidavit said. She told detectives she woke up without underwear or pants.

When interviewed, Varnado reportedly admitted to kissing and touching the victim sexually, according to arrest documents. He was booked into EBR Parish Prison on June 20 and charged with third-degree rape. His bond was set at $250,000.

When asked for a statement, Southern University said Varnado was placed on administrative leave pending an investigation and gave no comment.