GREENSBORO, N.C. (Jan. 21, 2026) — Criminal charges against UNC-Greensboro (UNCG) student Alisia Rea, 22, and her partner, Quinten Thomas, 24, were voluntarily dismissed today in Guilford County District Court following their violent arrest by UNCG police last fall.
Southern Coalition for Social Justice (SCSJ) represents both Rea and Thomas, whose arrest on October 6, 2025, drew widespread attention and outrage.
“Dismissal of the criminal charges is the appropriate outcome here,” said Dominique Erney, Counsel, Justice System Reform at SCSJ. “Overly aggressive policing undermines public safety. Here, it placed our clients in a dangerous situation that was not of their making. They should never have been forced to endure this ordeal.”
Although the criminal charges have been fully dismissed, Rea still faces potential disciplinary action by UNC-Greensboro. SCSJ will continue to urge the university to dismiss its disciplinary investigation, and if a hearing proceeds, will seek full vindication on Rea’s behalf.
“Today is good news for Ms. Rea, Mr. Thomas, and their families. The dismissal of these charges brings closure to what has been an incredibly difficult chapter in their lives, and I’m grateful the legal system reached this outcome,” said Sen. Michael Garrett, who represents Guilford County. “What concerns me now is UNCG’s decision to continue pursuing disciplinary action against Ms. Rea despite the full dismissal of criminal charges. If the courts have determined these charges cannot stand, the university should follow that lead. Continuing this investigation only prolongs the trauma for a young woman who came to UNCG to pursue an education, not to be dragged through months of legal and administrative proceedings. I urge Chancellor Gilliam to bring this matter to a close and allow Ms. Rea to move forward with her life and her studies.”
The arrest occurred after Thomas dropped Rea off at her UNCG dorm and was confronted by UNCG police because of where he had momentarily parked on Glenwood Avenue in Greensboro. Thomas explained he had previously been told he was allowed to park there for a 15-minute duration and then the police asked him to leave. As he was preparing to leave, an officer again told him to drive away, and he cursed at the officer as he placed his car in gear. In response to Thomas’ mere words, UNCG officers told him that he was no longer free to leave, and then they proceeded to aggressively pull him from his vehicle to place him under arrest.
At this point, Rea had returned to the scene to check on Thomas. After refusing to provide her with their identifying information, the officers told her that she, too, was under arrest. Video shows that Rea was walking away when police grabbed her and forced her to the ground.
Public outrage followed Rea and Thomas’ arrest.
“The dismissal of all charges against Alisia Rea and Quinten Thomas is a powerful reminder that community advocacy and legal accountability matter,” said Cerinity Cornell, President of the UNCG Chapter of the NAACP. “UNCG NAACP remains deeply concerned by the actions that led to their arrests, and we are grateful to Southern Coalition for Social Justice for standing firmly in pursuit of justice. This outcome affirms what we have said from the beginning: our students deserve to be treated with dignity, fairness, and respect. We will continue to advocate for transparency, accountability, and the protection of students’ rights on our campus.”
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Southern Coalition for Social Justice, founded in 2007, partners with communities of color and economically disadvantaged communities in the South to defend and advance their political, social, and economic rights through the combination of legal advocacy, research, organizing, and communications. Learn more at southerncoalition.org and follow our work on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Felecia Phillips Ollie DD (h.c.) is the inspiring leader and founder of The Equality Network LLC (TEN). With a background in coaching, travel, and a career in news, Felecia brings a unique perspective to promoting diversity and inclusion. Holding a Bachelor’s Degree in English/Communications, she is passionate about creating a more inclusive future. From graduating from Mississippi Valley State University to leading initiatives like the Washington State Department of Ecology’s Equal Employment Opportunity Program, Felecia is dedicated to making a positive impact. Join her journey on our blog as she shares insights and leads the charge for equity through The Equality Network.
