A Florala man is in jail under a nearly $500,000 bond after he allegedly raped a 13-year-old girl who was visiting his home.

Thi-rty-eight-year-old Tobe Gautney was arrested after police received a call Tuesday night about the alleged incident, said Florala Police Chief Sonny Bedsole.

“The girl had apparently gone to visit the Gautney residence because of a domestic between her mother and her mother’s boyfriend,” Bedsole said. “She wanted to stay at a friend’s house to ‘stay out of the line of fire’ so to speak during their argument. Reports indicated that the child, who was asleep on the couch, woke up and (Gautney) had a hand down her pants, fondling her. He then put his hand over her mouth and forced intercourse on her.”

Bedsole said at the completion of their investigation, where the FPD was assisted by the county department of human resources and district attorney’s office, Gautney was charged with first-degree rape, first-degree sexual abuse, first-degree attempted sodomy and unlawful imprisonment.

He was arrested Wednesday without incident and is currently being held in the Covington County Jail under a $475,000 bond.