Rape charges were dropped against an Alexandria Sheriff's Office deputy who was accused of sexually assaulting a female inmate.
Bryant Pegues, 52, was arrested last week in the alleged incident.
According to Alexandria Sheriff Dana Lawhorne, the rape charge was ruled nolle prosequi this week, meaning it will not be pursued.
Pegues is still facing a carnal knowledge charge.
"The fact remains that [Pegues] betrayed his duty to this office and violated the public trust," Lawhorne said. "The Commonwealth will continue its prosecution of him on the charge of carnal knowledge of an inmate and his preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 9.”
Pegues, a resident of Oxon Hill, Maryland, lost his job with the sheriff's office last week. He joined the department in 2007, and Lawhorne added the dropped charge will not change Pegues' termination.
“I have arranged for an outside agency to review this incident with regard to our policies, practices, training and procedures," Lawhorne said. "This review will be conducted by highly experienced command staff from the Arlington Sheriff’s Office and will begin after the criminal case has been adjudicated.”
