By By Kerry Whipple Bean
publisher
A Brewton man was released on bond this week after he was arrested outside a local hospital and charged with rape.
Lt. Matt Hammon, an investigator with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department, said Charles Edward Happoldt, 48, of 507 Franklin Ave., was arrested Monday night at D.W. McMillan Memorial Hospital.
Officers later found that Happoldt was armed, Hammon said. Reports said Happoldt had a handgun in his pocket.
Happoldt, who has been charged with first-degree rape, did not come near the victim while at the hospital, Hammon said.
Hospital authorities reported the alleged rape to the sheriff’s department after the victim drove herself to the hospital, according to reports. The incident happened off Highway 113 in Flomaton, Hammon said.
The victim told authorities she met Happoldt in an area on U.S. 31, where she parked her car and got into his truck. According to reports, she told investigators Happoldt drove her to the area off Highway 113 and forcibly raped her.
Happoldt was released on $100,000 bond.