NC city official charge with rape after concert

A Lumberton (NC) city councilman was arrested and charged with 1st degree rape after a concert in a Louisville, Ky suburb.

The 18 year old woman was allegedly raped early Saturday morning at a Marriott hotel in Jeffersontown, KY by John Cantey, Jr. She reported the rape at about 6:30 AM. Investigators arrested Cantey after the alleged victim implicated him. They were traveling with the rapper Juvenile, who performed at a concert in Frankfort Friday. He’s the CEO of J.C. Houseman Production Agency.

Lumberton city officials declined comment, but referred questions to City Attorney Robert Price. Cantey was elected as a write-in candidate to Precinct 5 back in 2005. His term is supposed to expire in 2009, but according to North Carolina law, elected officials retain their seats until and unless convicted of a felony, at which time the official is automatically removed from office. Cantey has a misdemeanor conviction for fraud by receiving unemployment benefits while working as a salesman. His sentence was 18 months of unsupervised probation.

Annie Sherman, a neighbor, was shocked to hear about Cantey's charges. "I just can't see it. Some people yes, but not him. I'd trust my children with him," she said.

Cantey is currently being held on $100,000 bond by the Louisville Metro Department Of Corrections.

Lumberton Councilman Charged With Kentucky Rape