Third suspect in rape arrested

Published 12:27 am Saturday, February 4, 2012

NATCHEZ — The Natchez Police Department has charged the third and final suspect in connection with the alleged sexual assault of a 15-year-old girl on the night of Jan. 22.

Lawrence D. Green, 20, 1116 Martin Luther King Jr. St., was charged Thursday with statutory rape.

Police also charged Mario K. Byrd, 24, 1-B Ingram Circle, and Charles T. Buchannan III, 20, 203 N. Concord Ave. with statutory rape on Jan. 25 and Jan. 29, respectively.

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According to a Natchez police report, the three men reportedly offered the victim a ride while she was walking home from a friend’s house on Gayosa Avenue. Instead, the victim reportedly walked with men to an abandoned house on Martin Luther King Jr. Street.

According to the report, the victim reported the suspects unsuccessfully attempted to break into the house.

The report states the suspects led the victim to a car porch, where one of the suspects reportedly shoved her to the ground. The victim reported that the suspects laughed as each of them allegedly sexually assaulted her.

According to the report, the victim said she saw a witness walk by after the assault flashing a message on a cell phone for the victim to come with the witness. The victim reported that one of the suspects told the witness to mind their own business, and the witness reportedly left.

The suspects are being held at the Natchez jail with no bond. Natchez Interim Police Chief Danny White said he was glad the suspects were in custody.

“I’m just glad we were able to catch all three of (the suspects”,” White said.