WINCHESTER, IN — A Winchester teenager has been charged with rape.
The Level 3 felony charge, carrying up to 16 years in prison, was filed on Thursday, April 16, against 18-year-old James Tanner Byrge.
He was also charged with sexual battery and strangulation, both Level 6 felonies with maximum 30-month sentences.
The assault allegedly took place late Sunday night at Byrge’s home.
The accuser, a 17-year-old from Delaware County, told Winchester police she had met Byrge online a few days earlier via Snapchat.
She said she had gone with Byrge to his home after they had gone on a drive. The teen said she had repeatedly told the Winchester resident she did not want to have intercourse.
She said the assault took place while they were on Byrge’s bed watching a movie.
After reporting the alleged assault, the accuser was examined at an Indianapolis hospital.
When questioned by police, Byrge maintained his dealings with the teen had been consensual.
An affidavit included what was reported to be a Snapchat exchange between the teenagers in which Byrge offered an apology.
A trial date has not yet been set in the Randolph Circuit Court case.
Byrge is set to stand trial May 29 in Wayne Superior Court 3 in Richmond on a driving-while-intoxicated count filed on March 19.
Douglas Walker is a news reporter at The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Winchester teenager charged with rape, sexual battery
Reporting by Douglas Walker, Muncie Star Press / Muncie Star Press
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