Atlanta Policeman Charged With Rape: Sheriff's Deputies

Acworth GA

14 February, 2022

1:49 PM

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ACWORTH, GA — An Atlanta Police officer is in jail after being accused of sexually assaulting a Cherokee County woman, authorities said. Lionel Dely, 32, of Marietta, is being charged with rape and is being held at the Cherokee County Jail without bond after turning himself in Friday night, authorities said. According to the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office, the incident happened at her Acworth apartment on Jan. 31, and the woman reported it two days later. She told investigators that Dely introduced himself to her as an Atlanta Police officer who was working on a case prior to the assault, according to deputies reports. Investigators confirmed that Dely was an officer and were able to obtain evidence supporting the rape accusation, a statement from the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office said. Deputies investigating the case have had cooperation from Atlanta police throughout the investigation, authorities said. Atlanta Police Department officials said in a statement that "the officer was not on official business when the incident occurred." Atlanta Police were notified of the Cherokee County investigation on Feb. 3, and the department's Office of Professional Standards "immediately relived Dely of duty," the statement said. Upon learning of the charge on Monday, Atlanta Police suspended Dely without pay and scheduled an emergency hearing with Atlanta Police Chief Rodney Bryant to determine what will come of his employment, officials said. Bryan will determine Dely's punishment up to and including termination, police officials said.