By Staff
Staff Report
Victor Payne, Escambia County Middle School P.E. and science teacher faces rape charges after his arrest Friday.
Victor Labaron Payne, age 34, of Mobile, was charged with one count of Rape in the second degree by the Escambia County Sheriff's Office.
Because of the victim's age, investigators did not release details about he incident, other than to say they believed it took place during school hours. Alabama law does not recognize the capacity for consent of youth under the age of 16.
Investigators questioned Payne on Friday, and later that same day Payne was arrested. Payne was released from the Escambia County Detention Center on $50,000 bond Saturday.
McMullen said the investigation into Payne's activities in the Atmore area would continue, and any further evidence would be presented to the grand jury, scheduled to convene in January.
Payne has been suspended with pay from the school system, pending further review, school board officials said. School superintendent Melvin "Buck" Powell was not available for comment at press time.
Sources say that Payne is related to ECMS principal Herbert Payne, but The Standard was unable to verify the relationship at press time.