CHARLOTTE, NC — A detention officer with the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office has been charged with sexually assaulting a 19-year-old woman. The crime involving Vanquez Petty, 31, allegedly took place Thursday evening. 
Investigators with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department say Petty and the victim were strangers when they met around 10:30am on February 28th and exchanged telephone numbers.
The two reportedly arranged to meet at the victim’s home later that evening, which is when she claims the assault took place. Petty was not on duty when the alleged assault happened, according to police.
The victim was taken to a local hospital for treatment following the incident.
The Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office released the following statement Friday afternoon:
“Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden has been informed that Detention Officer Vanquez D. Petty has been charged with sexual assault. Vanquez D. Petty’s employment with the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office was terminated on Friday, March 1, 2019.
As a public safety organization, all employees of the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office are required to demonstrate professional and ethical conduct both on and off-duty. Any misconduct or violation of the law will not be tolerated by MCSO.”
Petty has been with the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office since 2014.
He is charged with Second Degree Rape and Second Degree Sexual Assault.
The investigation is ongoing.
