A Citronelle man is facing first-degree rape and first-degree kidnapping charges after police say he handcuffed a woman he knew and drove her to a local cemetery, where he assaulted her.
Citronelle police arrested 51-year-old Kenneth Lee Burt last week in connection with an incident reported to authorities on Dec. 31. According to court records, the woman told investigators she considered Burt a friend and that he had stopped by her home for a beer on Dec. 30. She said Burt later asked her to drive his truck to see if she could maneuver it out of her driveway without causing damage.
Once she got into the vehicle, the woman told police, Burt forced her toward the center console and attempted to sexually assault her. She said she fought him off, but he was able to move her into the passenger seat, where he restrained her with a set of handcuffs. According to a detective’s account included in court filings, Burt then drove until he realized he had crossed into neighboring Washington County, at which point he turned back toward Citronelle. Investigators say he eventually parked at Pine Crest Cemetery, where the assault occurred.
Court records show Burt has denied involvement in the assault and has refused to provide a DNA sample requested by investigators. Citronelle police did not respond to requests for comment on the case.
Records show this is not Burt’s first brush with serious criminal allegations. In 1993, Baldwin County investigators arrested him on charges that included first-degree rape, though that case was later dropped, according to court records. In 2001, he faced additional charges in Baldwin County, including first-degree sexual abuse; that case was ultimately resolved with Burt pleading down to a harassment charge.
Burt was scheduled to appear before Mobile County District Court Judge Jay York for an arraignment this week. The case remains under investigation, and additional details are expected to emerge as the prosecution moves forward. The victim’s identity has not been released, consistent with standard practice in sexual assault cases.