S.C. deputy charged with rape

A Charleston deputy is in the worst kind of trouble right now, he’s accused of rape.

Charleston is one of the cities Creative Loafing highlighted in our summer guide and is a destination trip for people in our area. So, that makes this allegation of rape by a law enforcement officer scary and damaging.

Here’s what allegedly happened:

Multiple media outlets reported that police arrested 25-year-old Pressley LeGrande Gaskins and charged him with first-degree criminal sexual conduct and kidnapping after he surrendered to investigators Tuesday.

Charleston sheriff’s Chief Inspector Mark Fields says Gaskins has been placed on administrative leave without pay until the case is resolved. Gaskins had been with the department for three years.

Affidavits say the woman was held against her will and Gaskins repeatedly assaulted her Sept. 23.

The woman told police she had been drinking at a bar and met the officer, who followed her when she went out to smoke.

The problem in cases like these is that most of the public will automatically side with the law enforcement officer. How else can Charlotte explain how former Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Officer Marcus Jackson got away with his alleged crimes for so long?

According to RAINN, an anti-assault organization:

Sexual assault is one of the most under reported crimes, with 60% still being left unreported.

It’s easy to see why when stories about law enforcement officers accused of sexual assault keep popping into the headlines.

This article appears in Sep 28 – Oct 4, 2010.