Rome man arrested on rape charge involving child

ROME — A 39-year-old Rome man was arrested Oct. 11 as the result of a Child Advocacy Center investigation.

The Rome Police Department received a report of sexual abuse against a child on Oct. 4.

Due to the nature of the allegations, the case was turned over to the Child Advocacy Center for further investigation and was assigned to Oneida County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Travis Kinderman.

Through investigation, it was learned that Joseph Mickle had subjected a female child less than 15 years of age to sexual contact in Rome in September.

Investigator Kinderman and Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Melissa Bolton located Mickle at a residence in the Town of Boonville on Oct. 11.

Mickle was arrested and charged with one count of rape in the second degree, a Class D felony.

Mickle was transported to the Kurt B. Wyman Law Enforcement Building, where he was processed and turned over to corrections staff at the Oneida County Correctional Facility.

He will be arraigned at Centralized Arraignment Part Court.

An order of protection was requested on behalf of the victim, who has been offered services through the Child Advocacy Center.

The Child Advocacy Center was assisted by the Rome Police Department’s Patrol Division and Forensic Unit.