
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, October 15, 1994                   TAG: 9410170042
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-2   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: New River Valley bureau
DATELINE: RADFORD                                LENGTH: Short

20-YEAR PRISON TERM FOR GIRL'S RAPE

A Pulaski County man has been ordered to serve 20 years in prison for the December 1993 rape of a 12-year-old Radford girl.

James Russell "Rusty" Cook, 26, of McGill Village in Pulaski, was sentenced in Radford Circuit Court onTuesday. He had pleaded guilty to the charge in September, according to court records.

Cook was charged with the Dec. 30 rape of the girl, with whom he was acquainted, while she was baby-sitting for a family at an apartment in east Radford, police said.

Circuit Judge Duane Mink imposed a 45-year prison sentence, but suspended 25 years. After serving 20 years, Cook will be placed on probation.

Commonwealth's Attorney Randal Duncan said DNA evidence showed the odds of someone other than Cook committing the rape were one in 135 million.

Duncan credited Radford police officers Angie Whitlock, Jerry Hendricks and Detective Lt. Wayne Frye for putting together a strong case that ultimately led to the plea and strict sentence.

by CNB