A Fort Deposit man remains in custody at the John Hulett Detention Facility on a $20,000 bond for rape second degree in connection with a 14-year-old girl.

Sgt. M. V. Green of the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office told the Lowndes Signal Monday that Eric Thompson, 30, of Fort Deposit was arrested on Jan. 18 in connection with a Jan. 4 incident.

According to Green, On Jan. 10, a 14-year-old female reported that she was raped on Jan. 4 at her residence by a mutual friend of her mother’s. “He was baby sitting her at the time,” Green said.

He said the 14-year-old reported the incident to her school, but did not know the suspect except by the first name of Eric.

Green said the Department of Human Resources was notified along with the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office.

“And through a diligent and hard working investigation with the Sheriff’s Department, a man by the name of Eric Thompson, 30, of Fort Deposit was ascertained as being a suspect,” Green said.

Green said he interviewed Thompson with the assistance of the Fort Deposit Police Department, as it was in their jurisdiction.

Green said it was ascertained that Thompson was the actual suspect and Thompson was immediately taken into custody and placed in the John Hulett Detention Facility on a charge of rape second degree.

Green said Thompson remains in jail on a $20,000 bond.