Nashville New Year’s Eve teen rape suspect arrested in Louisville; extradition proceedings now underway

Arrest follows interstate search tied to New Year’s Eve assault allegation

A man sought in connection with the alleged rape of a teenage girl in Nashville on New Year’s Eve has been arrested in Louisville, Kentucky, after investigators determined he had traveled to the area. The suspect, identified as 31-year-old Mena Awad, was taken into custody Friday afternoon at a Louisville hotel. Authorities said arrangements for his return to Nashville were pending following the arrest.

The case centers on an alleged attack reported to have occurred around 7 a.m. on December 31, 2025, inside an apartment on Millwood Drive in Nashville. Investigators allege the suspect entered the apartment while it was unlocked and assaulted the 16-year-old victim in her bedroom. The victim told police she did not know the man and reported that he was carrying a gun and a knife.

Charges and investigative steps

Arrest warrants were issued the night of January 12, 2026, charging Awad with aggravated rape, aggravated assault and aggravated burglary. Detectives identified Awad as a suspect after reviewing surveillance camera footage from the surrounding area, authorities said. In public notices issued earlier in the week, police described Awad as unhoused and known to frequent the Millwood Drive and Murfreesboro Pike corridor in Nashville.

• Alleged incident date and time: December 31, 2025, about 7 a.m.
• Location: Millwood Drive area of Nashville
• Victim: 16-year-old girl
• Charges listed in warrants: aggravated rape, aggravated assault, aggravated burglary
• Arrest location: hotel in Louisville, Kentucky

What happens next: custody, transport, and court process

With the arrest occurring outside Tennessee, the next procedural steps typically include holding the suspect on the out-of-state warrants while courts and agencies coordinate transport. Authorities indicated the suspect’s return to Nashville was pending, signaling that extradition-related steps and scheduling would determine when the suspect appears in Davidson County court.

All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

Regional coordination and public safety considerations

The arrest underscores how investigations involving serious felony allegations can rapidly expand across state lines, particularly when detectives develop information suggesting travel. In this case, Nashville investigators reported that initial information led them to believe the suspect had gone to Louisville, where local police located him.

Authorities have not released additional details about potential evidence beyond surveillance footage, nor have they disclosed further investigative findings due to the ongoing nature of the case and the victim’s privacy. Court filings and future hearings in Nashville are expected to provide more clarity on the allegations, the evidence prosecutors intend to present, and the defense response.