VALLEY — A Lanett man has been charged in the rape and sodomy of a juvenile.

According to a press release by the Valley Police Department, a 17-year-old girl reported to Valley Police on July 4 that she had been sexually assaulted by an acquaintance while in Valley.

Following a week of investigating, an arrest was made on July 11.

Dakota Bryan Gough, 20, of Lanett, was charged with rape, first degree, and sodomy, first degree. He was processed at the Valley Police Department before being taken to the Chambers County Detention Facility pending a bond hearing.

Major Mike Reynolds said an arrest warrant had been put out for Gough when he was picked up during a traffic stop.

Reynolds added that due to the age of the victim, much of the information surrounding the incident and subsequent investigation could not be released.

“I want to assure the public that this was not a random act,” he said. “Evidence was gathered that led to the arrest of this person.”

Rape and sodomy charges are both Class A felonies in the state of Alabama and can carry a sentence of 25 years to life imprisonment.