Man Charged In Rape Of 12-Year-Old Girl On Way Home From School

WHEATON, MD — A Maryland man was arrested after sexually abusing a 12-year-old girl who was walking home from school in Wheaton earlier this month, according to Montgomery County Police.

On May 23, the 12-year-old was walking home from school during a thunderstorm when 59-year-old James Allen Booker, of Upper Marlboro, pulled up in his vehicle and asked her if she wanted a ride home, authorities said. The girl accepted the offer, entered his vehicle, and gave him her home address.

Booker and the victim did not know each other at the time, police said.

According to authorities, Booker parked his vehicle outside her home and began to sexually assault her.

After the assault, she told a parent about what had happened. The parent then contact the police.

Booker was arrested at his place of employment in the Wheaton area on Tuesday, police said. He was charged with second-degree rape and a third-degree sex offense, court records reveal.

He is scheduled to appear in court on June 21.