According to Centre Police Chief Kirk Blankenship, Investigators Randy Mayorga and Leigha Blake who are assigned to the Cherokee County Major Crimes Unit have been steadily working a rape case dating back to 2010.

Chief Blankenship said that 40 year old Brad Lorenzo McElrath of Fort Payne was arrested on Wednesday after an Indictment was handed down after the case was presented to a Cherokee County Grand Jury last month.

Chief Blankenship stated that Investigators Mayorga and Blake have worked steadily putting the case file together and preparing it for the presentation.

“These types of cases are very complex in nature to work. Our investigators have put countless hours into these cases, and it shows when hard work pays off.  They have been doing a great job- as a team”

Blankenship said that he would like to extend his gratitude to Detectives Andy Hairston and David Davis with the Ft. Payne Police Dept. for assisting in the apprehension of Brad Lorenzo McElrath.

Due to the nature of the case, no further details are being released at this time.