Jail Rape Charge Dropped Against Former Deputy

The Commonwealth will not pursue a rape charge against a former Alexandria deputy accused of having sex with an inmate while on the job, according to the Alexandria Sheriff's Office. 

Bryant Pegues still faces a charge of carnal knowledge of an inmate.  

Sheriff’s Office commanders learned of the alleged offense after the victim, an adult female, notified another deputy, saying that Deputy Pegues had sexually assaulted her.

Pegues, a 52-year-old resident of Oxon Hill who was hired in 2007, was arrested by Alexandria detectives at the Sheriff’s Office on May 27. He was fired the same day.

Sheriff Dana Lawhorne said in a release Thursday that he agreed with the decision not to pursue the rape charge.

“The fact remains that he betrayed his duty to this Office and violated the public trust," Lawhorne said. "The Commonwealth will continue its prosecution of him on the charge of Carnal Knowledge of an Inmate and his preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 9.”

WTOP notes that, the penalty for a carnal knowledge conviction includes up to five years in prison and a $2,500 fine.

Lawhorne said the Sheriff's Office is also having staff from the Arlington Sheriff's Office lead a review of the incident, in regards to policies, practices, training and procedures.