Kentucky teen charged with rape, theft after multi-state spree

By Steve Bittenbender
The modern day "Bonnie and Clyde" are speaking out about their alleged crime spree. Dalton Hayes,18, said he and 13-year-old Cheyenne Phillips fled their hometown because she was being abused. The pair was caught Saturday night after weeks on the run.

By Steve Bittenbender LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Reuters) - A Kentucky teenager arrested last month along with his underage girlfriend after an alleged crime spree has been charged with second-degree rape and is set to appear in court on Monday, according to court documents and the court clerk. Dalton Hayes, 18, remains in jail in Grayson County, an hour's drive southwest of Louisville. The grand jury returned an indictment on the rape charge, as well as on two counts of theft of more than $10,000, one count of burglary and a count of custodial interference, according to court documents obtained by Reuters on Wednesday. Hayes and Cheyenne Phillips, 13, surrendered without incident on Jan. 18 after they were surrounded by local law enforcement in Panama City Beach, Florida. Phillips was reported missing on Jan. 3 by her father and the teens were on the run for about two weeks. Besides Kentucky, law enforcement officials suspect the two of stealing vehicles in South Carolina and Georgia. Under Kentucky state law, second-degree rape occurs when someone aged 18 or older has any sexual contact, consensual or not, with a minor under the age of 14. The charge carries a prison term of up to 10 years under Kentucky law. Hayes faces similar terms for the theft charges if found guilty. (Editing by Fiona Ortiz and Eric Walsh)