Two charged with raping, giving drugs to 14-year-old
Clayton police say that a 14-year-old girl was sexually abused and given drugs by two men, ages 39 and 22. One suspect remains at large.
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Detectives said they believe that Juan Antonio Batiste, 22, and Jamelle Monque Best, 39, met the victim through friends and that they gave her drugs before the sexual offenses, which occurred in Best's residence at 600 N. O'Neil St. Apt. 3A.
The 14-year-old told police that she had sex with the men in late May or early June. Police said her parents brought her to the hospital when they learned of the abuse, prompting an investigation.
A search of Best's apartment on Wednesday found two handguns and a small amount of drugs, police said. He was arrested on one felony charge each of statutory rape, indecent liberties with a child and possession of cocaine, two charges each of felony possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and maintaining a dwelling for controlled substances, and four misdemeanor drug charges.
Batiste, of 515 Park Drive, remains on the run. He is charged with statutory rape and indecent liberties with a child.
State Department of Correction records show that he is also on probation for a January conviction for assault on a female. He has previous convictions for communicating threats, simple assault and drug charges, as well.
Best was being held in the Johnston County Jail Friday under a $352,000 secured bond. He has been convicted of selling drugs in Wayne and Carteret counties and assault by pointing a gun, DOC records show.
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