LINDEN-A local Linden resident was arrested Monday and charged with first degree Rape. Chief Jeff Laduron of the Linden Police Department arrested John Anthony, a 17-year-old black male Monday morning at the Marengo County Technology Center in Linden.

Laduron said Anthony is being charged, as an adult for this crime because he was 16-years-old and the victim was only 12-years-old. He also said the victims mother had reported the incident through the Department of Human Resources.

He said the DHR developed most of the charges during its investigation of this matter. He also said after the charges were developed, they informed the Linden Police Department.

The victim’s mother signed the warrant for Anthony’s arrest. Anthony is currently still in jail because his bond has yet to be set by a judge.

The District Attorney Greg Griggers said the victim’s mother had contacted him about the crime and that is when he saw where Anthony was been tried as a juvenile defendant. Griggers said that is a mistake because there is an Alabama Statute that says if the defendant is 16 or older during the rape of a minor, then that defendant should be tried as an adult.