Butler - Byrd -

ROCKINGHAM — Richmond County sheriff’s deputies arrested a Rockingham man on rape charges and police charged another for a December armed robbery of more than $1,000 cash and nearly $2,000 in marijuana.

Shane Whiley Butler Jr., 18, is accused of raping a woman on March 24, according to warrants for his arrest issued Monday.

The charge, second-degree forcible rape is given when a person has intercourse with another person against their will while the victim is either mentally disabled, incapacitated or physically helpless. This felony charge is distinct from first-degree forcible rape, which is given when rape is committed with the threat of a deadly weapon, inflicting serious injury, or when it involves multiple perpetrators.

Butler has no prior convictions, according to records with the N.C. Department of Public Safety Division of Adult Correction. He is being held at the Richmond County Jail under a $50,000 secured bond and is scheduled to appear in court on May 10.

Steffon D. Byrd, 21, of Rockingham, allegedly threatened a man with a handgun on Dec. 9, robbing him of $1,075 in cash and approximately three ounces of marijuana worth roughly $1,825, according to warrants for his arrest issued Saturday.

Byrd is charged with one felony count of robbery with a dangerous weapon and one misdemeanor count of assault by pointing a gun.

He was previously convicted of misdemeanor larceny in June 2013, for which he was sentenced to probation, according to state records.

Byrd is being held at the Richmond County Jail under a $25,000 secured bond and is scheduled to appear in court on May 17.

All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Reach Gavin Stone at 910-817-2674 or [email protected]

Butler https://www.yourdailyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/web1_shanebutler.jpg Butler Byrd https://www.yourdailyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/web1_steffanbyrd.jpg Byrd