Marines Ted Davis, 23, and Rylie Petrosky, 20, have been charged with rape by police in Surf City, N.C., a small beach town near Camp Lejeune where the two men are assigned. (Photos provided by Town of Surf City, N.C. )
Police in Surf City, N.C., on Monday charged two Marines stationed at Camp Lejeune with rape, officials in the small beach town near the base said.
Ted Arthur Davis, 23, and Rylie Tate Petrosky, 20, were in jail Monday after an initial appearance in court, Surf City officials said. A judge granted them a $300,000 secured bond in that hearing, but the suspects had not been released as of Monday afternoon.
Davis was charged with first-degree forcible rape, felony conspiracy and providing alcohol to a person under 21, according to police. Petrosky was charged with first-degree forcible rape and felony conspiracy. The rape charges carry a minimum penalty of 12 years imprisonment up to a life sentence, according to North Carolina law.
It was not clear Monday when the suspected rape occurred, but police described the incident as an “isolated case.” Town officials said the Marines knew the victim, who was receiving support via a victim’s advocate.
Police officials said they could release no further information Monday “to protect the victim’s identity and the integrity of the case.”
Surf City Police Chief Phillip Voorhees said the investigation was ongoing. The Naval Criminal Investigative Service, the Onslow County Sheriff’s Office, the Camp Lejeune Provost Marshal’s Office and the Wilmington Police Department have assisted in the probe, he said.
“We take these charges extremely seriously and remain dedicated to seeing that justice is served,” Voorhees said in a statement. “Our department, in partnership with other law enforcement agencies, worked swiftly to conduct a thorough investigation, bring appropriate charges, and ensure the safety of our community.”
Surf City is a small coastal town about 20 miles southeast of Camp Lejeune. The city’s police department identified the suspects as Marines, but they provided no additional information about their service.
Camp Lejeune officials did not immediately respond Monday to a request for more information about the Marines.
