
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, August 25, 1995                   TAG: 9508250075
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

COUNSELOR FACES RAPE CHARGE

A part-time counselor at Coyner Springs Juvenile Detention Center faces allegations that he raped a 14-year-old girl who once was housed in the facility.

Cedric G. Lavender, 32, of Roanoke was arrested this week by Roanoke police after a two-week investigation by the Botetourt County Sheriff's Office.

Botetourt County Sheriff Reed Kelly said his investigators became involved after a complaint from officials at Coyner Springs, the regional detention facility for juvenile offenders operated by the city of Roanoke.

Authorities allege that Lavender met a 17-year-old boy and two girls at a Botetourt County motel May 17. He is accused of having sex with one of the girls against her will.

Kelly said Lavender has been released on $25,000 bond.

by CNB