Corbin man accused of raping roommate surrenders to police

A Corbin man accused of raping a female roommate surrendered to police Friday morning, three days after the alleged incident happened.

Jerry E. Daniels, 38, of Corbin, turned himself in to Corbin police at about 10:30 a.m. He is facing a single charge of first-degree rape.

According to Corbin Police Detective Sgt. Bill Rose, the victim, a woman in her mid-20s, went to Baptist Regional Medical Center Tuesday night to receive treatment after the alleged rape. Officials at the hospital obtained evidence through a “sexual assault kit,” Rose said, which has been sent to the Kentucky State Police crime lab for processing. He said he didn’t believe the woman had any other significant injuries.

“She was pretty distraught that night at the hospital,” Rose said.

Rose said the victim swore out an arrest warrant against Daniels on Thursday. Whitley Judge Jason Price signed the warrant.
Authorities began searing for Daniels Thursday. Rose said the apartment he lived in on Kentucky Ave. had been vacated. A neighbor said Daniels had moved out Tuesday night.

“The lady that owns the apartment building said she got a call from a company that owns some apartments in Hazard. She said the company asked her about a reference for him for renting one of their apartments.”

Rose said Daniels turned himself into police after hearing on a local radio station that authorities were looking for him.

The victim and Daniels were acquaintances who met through a mutual friend in Williamsburg. Rose said she and a friend of hers both lived with him at his apartment. Rose said he thinks the victim’s friend may be a witness to the crime and has indicated a willingness to talk to police.

Rose said he has not yet interviewed Daniels, but intends to do so.

At this point, police do not think drugs or alcohol played a role in the alleged rape.