PLATTSBURGH — Two men have been charged with felony rape following separate, unrelated incidents.
Michael-Lee Loatman, 19, of Plattsburgh faces a charge of first-degree rape, Plattsburgh-based State Trooper Tracy Eggleston said Tuesday.
Eggleston said the alleged rape occurred in June 2011 at private residence in the Town of Peru with a 15-year-old victim who later became pregnant.
Following the birth of the child, police were able to conduct DNA tests that led to Loatman’s arrest.
According to New York state law, a person can be found guilty of first-degree rape when he or she engages in sexual intercourse with another person who, among other possibilities, is incapable of consent by reason of being physically helpless.
Loatman was arraigned in Town of Peru Court before Justice Jack Lawliss and remanded to Clinton County Jail in lieu of $5,000 cash bail or $10,000 bond.
He was still in custody as of Tuesday afternoon and is due back in court for a preliminary hearing at 4 p.m. Friday and again at 3 p.m. Aug. 14.
NORTH ELBA INCIDENT
In a second case, Nathan D. Pratt, 30, of Lake Placid was charged with third-degree rape, according to Ray Brook-based State Police Investigator Timothy Woodruff.
Woodruff said the alleged incident occurred in the early morning hours of Aug. 2 in the Town of North Elba.
Police began investigating the case after receiving a call from a local hospital where the female victim had sought treatment following the incident.
Pratt was charged under the New York state law that says a person may be found guilty of third-degree rape when, being 21 or more, he or she engages in sexual intercourse with another person less than 17.
He was arraigned in the Town of North Elba Court and remanded to Essex County Jail in lieu of $5,000 cash or $10,000 bond.
Pratt reappeared in court on Monday evening and was returned to jail, where he was still held as of Tuesday afternoon.
Email Miranda Orso: morso@pressrepublican.com
