Cleveland government employee indicted for allegedly raping 19-year-old, relieved of duty without pay

A Cleveland city employee raped a teenager and has been removed from his job, city officials and indictments say. 

Alexander D. Lackey, 35, was charged with three counts of sexual battery, five counts of rape and domestic violence, according to News 5.

Lackey was Cleveland’s International Affairs Coordinator. He is currently relieved from duty without pay, according to the city. 

Authorities initially began to investigate Lackey when police responded to his home in early January for a domestic violence incident involving a 19-year-old.

According to the police report obtained by News 5, Lackey pushed the woman and then slammed a door into her while stomping on her bare foot. 

He also allegedly sprayed an air freshener in her face. He then poured water on her and called her a “stupid whore," according to the report. 

The victim was transported to the hospital, where authorities learned that Lackey had allegedly assaulted her multiple times at his home. The assaults happened between Oct. 20, 2018, and Dec. 31, 2020, according to police

According to the report, Lackey started dating the 19-year-old three years ago. They have lived together for more than a year.

The two met through her mother, who Lackey dated prior to his relationship with the 19-year-old. 

She told police that Lackey said if she called authorities, “her immigration papers would be expired and that she would have to go back to Mexico,” News 5 reported.

The charges were brought up via a secret indictment because authorities thought he might be a flight risk due to his job as internal affairs coordinator, which requires global travel.

Lackey is currently being held in the Cuyahoga County Correction Center.