Lithia Springs Man Charged with Raping Boy

Lithia Springs resident Bobby Lee Dickerson is in a Tennessee jail on statutory rape and other charges after being caught Sunday with four teenage boys.

The 53-year-old, who lives in the 2400 block of Echo Road, faces charges of public intoxication, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and aggravated statutory rape, according to Hamilton County Jail booking records.

Hamilton County sheriff’s officers arrested him Sunday after responding to a report of suspicious activity in Harrison, northeast of Chattanooga, Chattanoogan.com reported.

The deputies found a slurring, stumbling Dickerson with four 16-year-old boys who appeared nervous next to a 2001 maroon Chevrolet van with the keys locked inside, Chattanoogan.com added.

According to the deputies’ report, all five smelled strongly of alcohol, and a red cap from a bottle of Smirnoff vodka was found on the ground, the Douglas County Sentinel said.

Dickerson admitted supplying alcohol to the boys but said he thought they were 21, the Sentinel added.

Things got worse for Dickerson when one of the boys reported a sexual relationship with the Lithia Springs man, who deputies said acknowledged having sex with the boy at Harrison Bay State Park, Chattanoogan.com said.

The relationship began in January, the said, citing the arrest report.

Dickerson is being held in lieu of $10,000 bond, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office said. He is due in court Monday morning.

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