Vernal Carpenter

A 44-year-old Dunkirk man is facing four counts of second-degree rape after a reported crime in progress early Wednesday.

Around 3:30 a.m., Chautauqua County Sheriff’s deputies responded to an address in Forestville. Upon arrival, deputies located a vehicle of interest and identified the occupants, a juvenile subject and an adult male who was later identified as Vernal F. Carpenter. After a preliminary investigation, the vehicle and all the property inside were seized and Carpenter was detained and later transported to the Sheriff’s Office for questioning.

Given the nature of the offense, Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office Investigators were called to assist. Further investigation into the incident determined that Carpenter and the juvenile subject allegedly engaged in several instances of sexual contact on Wednesday and additional dates.

Further investigation was conducted, Carpenter was interviewed, and at 11:45 a.m., he was charged and transported to the Chautauqua County Jail where he will await centralized arraignment. He will answer his charges in the Chautauqua County Supreme Court.

The Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office said in the news release it remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting the children of our community and holding accountable those who seek to exploit, abuse, or prey upon them. “The safety and well-being of our youth will continue to be a top priority, and we work diligently alongside our law enforcement partners, prosecutors, schools, and community organizations to investigate these crimes, support victims, and ensure offenders are brought to justice,” the department said.