Ex-Goldsboro fireman accused of rape
By Laura Collins
Published in News on August 26, 2010 1:46 PM
A former Goldsboro Fire Department firefighter, who was fired yesterday, has been charged with second-degree rape.
On Wednesday, a 55-year-old woman filed a report of a sexual assault with the Goldsboro Police Depart-ment. Following an investigation, Donnell Devise Hamilton Sr., 48, of Rose Street, was charged with one count of second-degree rape.
Hamilton was placed in the Wayne County Jail under $200,000 bond.
Police Chief Tim Bell said no weapon was used in the alleged sexual assault, which resulted in the second-degree charge rather than a first-degree offense. He said the incident occurred last week, and it's likely Hamilton was not an acquaintance of the victim. Bell added that Hamilton did not confess to the charge.
Fire Chief Gary Whaley said Hamilton was a 15-year member of the Goldsboro Fire Department and called the incident "inexcusable."
"This is an unfortunate incident for the victim, as well as the family of Mr. Hamilton," he said. "As a department we are outraged and saddened that one of our members could be involved in this type of incident. It is inexcusable."
As an employee, Whaley said Hamilton was a "good firefighter with a lot of experience." He added that while Hamilton did have reprimands in his personnel file, they weren't anything out of the ordinary, "routine administrative issues." He did not go into detail about the nature of the reprimands.
Hamilton is not married, but does have children. Whaley said he will address filling Hamilton's position at the fire department at a later date.