A report was filed with the Dunkirk Police Department regarding an alleged inappropriate sexual relationship between a juvenile subject and an adult male.

Through an investigation conducted by the Dunkirk Police Department and a forensic interview through the Child Advocacy Program it was determined Vernal F. Carpenter, 44, and the juvenile subject allegedly engaged in sexual contact on several occasions. At 2:20 p.m. Monday, Carpenter was arraigned in Dunkirk City Court on two counts of second-degree rape, and one count of second-degree rape. Carpenter was transported back to the Chautauqua County Jail as he was currently being held for similar charges through the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office.