Local man indicted for rape

By Staff
Jason Houston FCT Managing Editor
A Franklin County Grand Jury recently indicted a Russellville man on rape charges, Franklin County District Attorney Joey Rushing said.
Mark Anthony Hurley, 27, of 80 Gravel Hill Road in Russellville, was indicted for first-degree rape, first-degree sodomy and first-degree unlawful imprisonment.
The rape and sodomy charges are both Class A felonies, which are punishable by 10 years to life in prison upon conviction.
First-degree unlawful imprisonment is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year upon conviction.
Hurley is accused of raping a 20-year-old Winston County woman during the early morning hours of Sept. 18, 2003, in Russellville.
Rushing said the case was just reaching the grand jury due to a delay in receiving forensic evidence.
Rushing said the facts of the case indicate that Hurley got into the victim's car outside a business in Littleville as she was preparing to leave the business after working there. He then allegedly struck the victim and forced her to drive to Russellville. The alleged rape and sodomy took place at the intersection of Jackson Avenue and U.S. 43.
The victim told police that Hurley exited the car after the attack. Her car was stopped by Russellville police shortly thereafter traveling north on U.S. 43 at excessive speed.
The victim was taken to the hospital and told police about the attack, giving a description of Hurley. He was later found by Russellville Police officers asleep in an abandoned house on Gravel Hill Road.
Hurley is scheduled to be arraigned April 27. A trial date has not been set.