Air Marshal Accused of Rape

Police: Man used badge, government-issued gun in attack

A federal air marshal from Northern Virginia is accused of raping a woman at gunpoint in Seattle.

Lecheton Settles, 30, of Herndon, Va., was arrested Saturday morning.

He's accused in an attack that happened at a hotel near Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

Settles called an escort to his room, showed her his badge, and then pulled his government-issued gun on her, police said.

Then, Settles forced the woman to have sex, telling her he was a U.S. marshal, authorities said.

Settles has been charged with first-degree rape.

The Transportation Security Administration said he has been fired.

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"The men and women of the Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS) are dedicated to protecting the travelling public each and every day," the TSA said in a statement. "Employees who have engaged in acts of misconduct will be subject to the full range of disciplinary action permitted by policy; up to and including termination."

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