Authorities are actively searching for 32-year-old Joseph Favata, who is wanted in connection with a violent assault on a University of Nebraska-Lincoln freshman. The incident occurred in the early morning hours of September 29 in Lincoln, Nebraska. According to the arrest affidavit filed by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Police Department (UNLPD), the victim, Sophia Turpitt, was walking alone on campus near 16th and R streets when Favata approached her. Turpitt reported that Favata grabbed her from behind, restrained her, and attempted to assault her. During the struggle, Favata threw Turpitt’s phone into the road when she attempted to call 911. Turpitt, who has wrestling experience, managed to fight off her attacker and scream for help, prompting Favata to flee the scene. Security footage captured by campus CCTV cameras shows Favata driving a box truck around the area prior to the attack and running in the vicinity during the incident. Although the assault itself was not recorded on video, Turpitt positively identified Favata from a photograph. Investigators confirmed Favata’s presence in Nebraska by contacting his employer in Wichita, Kansas, whose logo was visible on the truck. As of this report, Favata remains at large. Local law enforcement in Andover, Kansas, and the Kansas Highway Patrol have confirmed he is not in custody and there are no open cases against him in those jurisdictions. UNLPD has issued a warrant for his arrest and is urging the public to assist in locating him. Anyone with information regarding Favata’s whereabouts is asked to contact the UNLPD tip line at (402) 472-2222 or via email at unlpd@unl.edu.