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By: Casey Roberts 

casey.roberts@bluegrassnewsmedia.com

A Lincoln County man is facing multiple charges, including third-degree rape, after deputies say he was found in an outbuilding with a 15-year-old girl earlier this month.

According to a report from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called to a residence in Crab Orchard on July 6 after a woman reported finding a man with her teenage daughter.

The woman told law enforcement that she arrived home and discovered a man hiding behind a mattress in an outbuilding. She said the man, later identified as 33-year-old Gerald Burchfield, had his pants down as her daughter exited the space, according to the citation.

The woman told Burchfield he wasn’t allowed to leave and that she was calling authorities. However, he reportedly fled the scene on a moped before deputies arrived.

Deputies later located Burchfield on Highway 150 East and initiated a traffic stop. During the investigation, Burchfield allegedly admitted to having communicated with the girl through Facebook Messenger and said they had discussed sexual topics. He denied that any physical interaction took place, according to the citation.

Burchfield was arrested and taken to the Pulaski County Detention Center. Deputies also collected his cellphone as evidence.

In addition to the rape charge, Burchfield is charged with operating a moped without a license and using electronic communication to procure or promote a minor.