Rape suspect apprehended
By Melanie Davis
Melanie@mountaintimes.com

A citizen tip led officers with the Boone Police Department to Steven Wayne Powers, 54, who had been eluding officials since Sunday morning.

He is charged with first-degree rape in an incident that occurred on Blowing Rock Road. A female, 46, reported a sexual assault at Power's residence Sunday morning. She did not reside in the home, but was an acquaintance of Powers. The victim was taken to Watauga Medical Center where she was treated and released.

She identified her attacker as Powers and an arrest warrant was issued. Powers was located in the area of the High Country Bank at New Market Centre at 4:30 p.m. and arrested without incident.

He was taken before a Watauga County magistrate and was denied bond on the rape charge. Powers was also charged with violating a release order stemming from previous charges of assault and communicating a threat. A $10,000 bond was set on the second charge.

Powers is scheduled to appear in district court on May 20.