Memphis police have arrested a man for aggravated rape behind a church in Raleigh.
Police say Smith took a woman behind Broadmoor Baptist Church on Austin Peay Highway and kicked, choked and beat her.
Investigators say Smith then raped her multiple times and threatened her life if she told police.
Police say the victim went to a hospital with injuries, and she later identified Smith in a lineup.
He’s in jail for aggravated rape, criminal trespassing, disorderly conduct and public intoxication.
“Church grounds and holy grounds. There’s no respect for that anymore. That’s not surprising to me, but it is sad,” said Raleigh resident Tasha Phillips.
But this wasn’t Smith’s first run-in with the law. In the last two years, he’s been arrested more than ten times. Two weeks ago, he was in jail for two theft charges.
“Something is missing somewhere. Someone is dropping the ball somewhere. Who do you go to with that? Is it our prosecutors? Is it our court system? Is it the jail system?” said Phillips.
Smith’s record includes indecent exposure, shoplifting, assault and a probation violation.
Smith is in jail on a $250,000 bond. He’s expected in court Monday.
