Va. Deputy Sheriff Charged With Rape

OCEAN CITY - Resort police this week obtained an arrest warrant for a Fairfax County (Va.) Deputy Sheriff accused of raping a 22-year-old woman in an Ocean City motel room last Sunday.

The warrant issued on Wednesday charges Fairfax County Deputy Sheriff Zachary Dennis Taylor, 31, of Ruther Glen, Va., with second-degree rape stemming from an alleged sexual assault on Feb. 24. According to police reports, the victim, a 22-year-old female, was at a local nightclub last Sunday when she became extremely intoxicated.

The victim was allegedly assisted by Taylor from the establishment to his nearby hotel room. The victim told police that once in Taylor's hotel room, Taylor undressed her and sexually assaulted her, after which Taylor allegedly escorted her out of the hotel room and put her on an elevator alone, according to police reports.

The victim was subsequently found lying on a sofa in the hotel lobby crying hysterically. Hotel employees found the victim on the lobby sofa and called the police.

Resort police obtained a warrant for Taylor's arrest on Wednesday charging him with second-degree rape. He was expected to turn himself in sometime yesterday, but as of mid-day had not done so. Taylor can surrender in his native Virginia, but that would complicate the extradition and administrative hearing process. According to OCPD spokesman Pfc. Mike Levy, Taylor would most likely turn himself in with his lawyer present in Maryland.

'The warrant is active and we expect him to turn himself in at any time,' said Levy yesterday afternoon.