Laurel County man charged with attempted rape, impersonating a police officer

A man accused of attempted rape and impersonating a police officer was arrested Sunday in Laurel County.

Joshua Wagers, 22, of London was arrested just before midnight Sunday off Slate Lick Road north of London, according to the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies were called there on a report that a man was on his way to a home to pick up a 12-year-old girl, according to the sheriff’s office. The responding deputies were told that the girl’s father would try to keep the man at the home until they could arrive.

When deputies arrived, Wagers told deputies that he thought the girl was 16 and that they were “just going to go riding around,” according to the sheriff’s office.

Deputies determined that Wagers had previously met the girl and implied that he was a police officer, according to the sheriff’s office. The two had met through a mutual friend.

The girl’s father found out about what was happening by monitoring the girl’s social media, according to the sheriff’s office.

Deputies found that Wagers had Hydroxyzine a type of anthistamine; an unidentified white powder in a small plastic bag; a large amount of alcohol; condoms; a badge; a pistol; and a police radio, according to the sheriff’s office.

Wagers is charged with attempted rape, attempted impersonation of a peace officer, attempted unlawful transaction with a minor, illegal sex with a person younger than 16, serving alcoholic beverages to a minor, illegal possession of a legend drug, prescription controlled substance not in proper container and use of a radio that sends and receives police messages.

He is being held in the Laurel County jail.

This story was originally published September 12, 2016 at 3:05 PM with the headline "Laurel County man charged with attempted rape, impersonating a police officer."