Gwinnett Jury Convicts Man of Attempted Rape and Assault of Teen Lifeguard

A Gwinnett County jury has found 24-year-old Matthew Charles Barrett guilty of criminal attempt to rape, aggravated assault with intent to rape, and false imprisonment. Barrett was found guilty with intellectual disability.

The case stems from an incident on June 13, 2019, when Barrett approached a private gated pool and asked a teenage lifeguard to let him use the restroom. Surveillance footage presented during the trial showed Barrett entering the women’s restroom and attempting to assault the lifeguard, grabbing her around the waist as she fled for help.

Gwinnett District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson praised the verdict, saying, “We are glad the jury returned a quick verdict finding the defendant guilty. This lifeguard was doing a kind act for a stranger and should not have been attacked for her kindness.”

Jurors reached their verdict in less than an hour. Barrett is scheduled to be sentenced on December 18. The prosecution was handled by the Special Victims Unit, including Assistant District Attorneys Scott Estes and Megan Matteucci, Investigator Christina Newman, and Victim Advocate Esther Askew.