Arrest made for rape on rail-trail

Hopkinsville police have arrested the man who allegedly raped a young woman Tuesday afternoon on the rail-rail.

Forty-three-year old Jason Morse of Hopkinsville is charged with first-degree rape, strangulation in the first-degree and tampering with physical evidence.

The incident happened on the Greenway about 5:30 p.m. Tuesday near the 3700 block of Bahama Drive and Chief Clayton Sumner says the adult female victim had been walking with earbuds in listening to music when Morse allegedly grabbed her from behind.

He allegedly raped, choked and threatened to kill the victim and then fled the area on foot.

The victim was treated at Jennie Stuart Medical Center.

An arrest citation says Morse destroyed evidence after he was informed by a friend that the police were wanting to talk to him about an incident on the rail-trail.

Police thanked citizens who reached out with information on the case and those who allowed officers to view their cameras to help identify and locate Morse.

Morse has been arrested locally numerous times going back to 2013, with a majority of his prior charges related to thefts and at least one involving methamphetamine.