LINDEN – A 44 year-old man was arrested and charged with the first-degree rape of a 15-year-old juvenile female on Friday, May 28.

Sgt. Scott McClure of the Linden Police Department, who made the arrest along with Officer Huckabee, said this was a case of “he said, she said.”

Curley Lee Griffin, 44, of Prowell Street in Linden was arrested for the rape of the juvenile, but the suspect claims the sex was consensual. Upon arrest, he told police no rape was involved.

Though statements about the girl’s consent create room for discussion, McClure said it doesn’t matter in this case.

“She couldn’t legally give Griffin consent to have sex because of being a juvenile,” McClure said.

McClure said the victim’s mother filed a report and a rape kit was performed on the victim. Those results will take some time to get back.

Griffin was arrested on Friday and was charged with rape first-degree and bond was set. Griffin has been released on bond.