Police had searched Kitts Hill residence for Ashland man

FORT PIERCE, Fla. — A man wanted by Ashland police and U.S. marshals on a rape charge has been arrested in Florida.

According to Maj. Mark McDowell, of Ashland police, Brandon Taylor Scites, 25, was arrested by the Fort Pierce Police Department Tuesday night without incident. He was taken to the St. Lucie County jail.

Scites, whose last address was on Mound Street in Ashland, was sought on charges of second-degree rape, second-degree sodomy, unlawful transaction with a minor and a parole violation (absconding).

Marshals said Scites knowingly engaged in sexual intercourse with a minor younger than 16 who was incapacitated due to an intoxicating substance on Jan. 21. He is also alleged to have caused a minor to engage in the use of marijuana.

McDowell said Scites was arrested on outstanding warrants from Kentucky, and he will have to appear before a judge before in St. Lucie County, where he will be given a choice to waive extradition.

If Scites choses that option, he will be taken back to Boyd County, where he will face charges.

Deputy Marshall Michael Blackburn said posts threatening law enforcement officers if they attempted to arrest him were posted on social media on an account attributed to Scites.

Lawrence County deputies searched a residence in Kitts Hill last week, where they said Scites had been staying, but did not find him.

Ashland police had offered a $1,000 reward for information leading to Scites’ capture.