Toccoa man charged with rape in Habersham County

A Toccoa man has been charged in Habersham County with the rape of a 17-year-old girl.

According to the Cornelia Police Department, 35-year-old Lester Hoyte of Toccoa is charged with rape, false imprisonment, sodomy and battery.

Cornelia Police Chief Chad Smith says officers responded to the Habersham County Shopping Center on February 12 on a report of sexual assault.

The victim told police that around 6 p.m. that day a taxi driver offered her a ride home, which she accepted.

She said the driver, identified as Hoyte, instead allegedly took her to a secluded location and raped her.

Cornelia Police believe this was an isolated event and the case is still under investigation with the possibility of more charges to come.

After issuing warrants for Hoyte’s arrest he was arrested by the Athens-Clarke Police Department.