An 18-year-old Coal Grove man is in the Lawrence County Jail facing rape charges following alleged incidents with a 9-year-old boy.

The prosecutor and the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the case to determine if the alleged rapes, which reportedly occurred over a six-month period, were committed when the man was 17.

The Tribune’s general policy is not to name juveniles charged in criminal cases.

If the alleged crimes occurred while the man was 17, the case could be referred to juvenile court.

If that happened and the man was convicted, he would be sentenced as a juvenile, according to Sheriff Jeff Lawless.