Landrum man charged with statutory rape

by Leah Justice

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Landrum man recently after receiving reports from Polk County parents that the 26-year old had been involved in an inappropriate relationship with their daughter.

Zachery Logan Shehan, 26, of Boysenberry Lane, Landrum, was charged with three counts of statutory rape, according to sheriff reports.

Detectives determined during their investigation that there was sufficient evidence to validate there had been an inappropriate relationship, the sheriff report states.

“These types of cases occur more frequently than they should and the sheriff’s office will continue to actively pursue individuals who prey on underage children for prosecution,” said Polk County Sheriff Donald Hill.

Sheriff Hill encourages parents to be conscious of their children’s activities and to monitor their use of cell phones and social media sites.

Shehan was booked at the Polk County Detention facility under a $100,000 secured bond. Shehan was appointed a public defender during his first court appearance and is currently out on bond.

His next court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 24.

North Carolina law includes that a person commits a “Class B1 felony if the defendant engages in vaginal intercourse or a sexual act with a another person who is 13, 14, or 15 years old and the defendant is at least six years older than the person, except when the defendant is lawfully married to the person.”

It is a class C felony if the defendant is more than four but less than six years older than the person, except when the defendant is lawfully married to the person, according to North Carolina law. The legal age of consent in North Carolina is 16 years of age