Man Arrested on Charges of Rape and Incest

The Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office has arrested an Evansville man on charges of Rape and Incest.

On Wednesday, December 13, 2017 at 2:51 PM, Sheriff’s deputies responded to Deaconess Mid-Town Hospital to investigate a report of sexual assault. The victim explained that a family member, Mr. Bobby Lavaugn Ward, had been staying with her for the past few days. The victim indicated that around midnight Mr. Ward made her a snack. The victim reported becoming very sleepy after consuming the food. The victim then recalled Mr. Ward waking her while trying to remove her pants.

The victim reported being confused and disorientated, but tried to resist. The victim recalled being in and out of consciousness while Mr. Ward had intercourse with her. The victim explained that when she woke up, Mr. Ward was gone. The victim called her mother and her boyfriend and then made arrangements to be taken to the hospital.

The victim consented to the collection of DNA evidence, which was placed in a sexual assault kit by a trained Deaconess Hospital nurse. The kit will be sent to the Indiana State Police laboratory for processing.

Later that evening, sheriff’s deputies located Mr. Ward at a friends apartment in the 500-block of North Saint Joseph Avenue. Mr. Ward denied the allegations against him and declined to answer further questions. Mr. Ward was taken into custody and remains jailed with no bond.

ARRESTED:

Bobby Lavaugn Ward (pictured above), 56, of Evansville. Rape as a Level 3 Felony, Incest as a Level 5 Felony.

Presumption of Innocence Notice: The fact that a person has been arrested or charged with a crime is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.

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