A 25-year-old Thomson man is facing charges of rape and false imprisonment stemming from an incident at his home on New Year’s Day.
Marquell Carter, of the 600 block of Adams Avenue, was arrested at about 8 p.m. Jan. 1.
At 7:38 p.m., Officer Rod Rodriguez of the Thomson Police Department responded to a reported assault. Minutes later, dispatch informed him the call was also in reference to a rape, according to an incident report. Sgt. Ricky Tarver also responded to the call.
Rodriguez spoke with the alleged victim, who said that after tricking her into entering his residence, Carter had asked her for sex and she repeatedly said no.
She told Rodriguez that Carter had prevented her from leaving the residence and a 10-minute struggle ensued, after which Carter had sex with her, according to the report.
After interviewing the woman, the responding officers turned the scene over to Sgt. Marquis Murray and Capt. Jamie Bridges for investigation, said TPD Chief Joe Nelson.
According to the report, Tarver and Rodriguez then went to Carter’s residence to speak with him about the incident. Rodriguez heard noises coming from the woods behind the home, and then he noticed a black male in dark clothing running away from the residence.
He pursued on foot until the man dropped to the ground, at which point the suspect told Rodriguez and Tarver that he had not done anything to the woman.
They confirmed that the man was Marquell Carter and told him to lie on the ground and place his hands on his back. Carter did not comply, and the officers forced him to the ground and handcuffed him.
Rodriguez placed Carter under investigative hold until the investigating officers arrived.
Carter showed Murray and Rodriguez where the incident had occurred. He admitted that he had sex with the woman but claimed it was consensual, according to the report.
After processing the scene of the alleged rape, Murray and Bridges determined that a struggle had occurred, Nelson said.
Carter tested positive for alcohol. He was taken into custody and transported to the Thomson Police Department.
Nelson said the investigators determined there was probable cause to bring charges against Carter for rape and false imprisonment.
He is being held at the McDuffie County Law Enforcement Center.
