Lebanon man charged with rape and other crimes over September 2022 incident

A 20-year-old man from Lebanon faces numerous charges – 16 in total – for the alleged rape of a 13-year-old girl in the city of Lebanon in 2022.

Lebanon police arrested Samuel James Rhoads on July 9 after Lebanon County Assistant District Attorney Amy Muller admitted the charge earlier this month.

According to court records, Rhoads is charged with a dozen felony counts, including multiple counts of involuntary sexual assault and rape, as well as charges of aggravated sexual assault, enticement of a minor and unlawful contact with a minor.

Rhoads is also accused of four counts of sexual assault.

According to Lebanon Police Detective Dory Martin’s affidavit, city police began investigating the incident on February 12 after Childline received two reports of child abuse/sexual assault.

In these reports, a minor female described an incident on September 15, 2022, claiming that Rhoads raped her. She was 13 years old at the time and Rhoads was 18 years old.

Police said the victim provided further details about the alleged rape during an interview on April 25.

In the affidavit, police stated that Rhoads was interviewed on May 2 and admitted to knowing the victim and where she lived, but denied rape.

On June 27, Rhoads was given a polygraph and a second interview, police said. During that interview, Rhoads confirmed the details of the incident as described by the victim, according to the affidavit.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Thursday, July 18, before Magistrate Judge Aurelis Figueroa. Rhoads is currently in custody, Lebanon Police Chief Bret Fisher confirmed. However, Judge Figueroa’s office has not yet updated court records to show this. Nor have any details been released regarding Rhoads’ arraignment or bail status.

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