Former Atlanta police officer indicted on rape charge in Cherokee County
A former Atlanta police officer who was fired after he was arrested on a rape charge in Cherokee County has been indicted, according to court records.
Lionel Dely, 32, was arrested in early February after a woman accused him of raping her, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution previously reported. According to the Cherokee sheriff’s office, Dely identified himself as an Atlanta officer and told the woman he was conducting an investigation before the alleged assault Jan. 31 in her Acworth home.
Atlanta police officials said Dely was not on official police business at the time of the incident.
He was immediately relieved of active duty and later fired after turning himself in Feb. 11, Atlanta police said. Last week, Dely was indicted on charges of rape and violating his oath as a police officer.
He is scheduled to be arraigned in a hearing slated for June 15. He remains in the Cherokee jail without bond.
About the Author
Henri Hollis is a reporter and restaurant critic for the Food & Dining team. Formerly a freelance writer and photographer with a focus on food and restaurants, he joined the AJC full-time in January 2021, first covering breaking news. He is a lifelong Atlantan and a graduate of Georgia Tech.
