ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) — Prosecutors have agreed to drop a charge of rape against a former sheriff’s deputy in Alexandria who was accused of sexually assaulting an inmate.

Commonwealth’s Attorney Bryan Porter and a defense attorney for 52-year-old Bryant Pegues of Oxon Hill, Maryland, agreed the rape charge would be dropped. Pegues is still charged with carnal knowledge of an inmate, a felony.

Pegues was arrested May 27 after an inmate at the William G. Truesdale Adult Detention Center accused him of sexually assaulting her.

An order filed in Alexandria District Court does not give a reason for the decision to drop the charge, The Washington Post reports (http://wapo.st/1kFj16s).

Pegues was fired from the sheriff’s office. Sheriff Dana Lawhorne said the decision not to prosecute on the rape charge does not change Pegues’ termination.

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