Rape Suspect Arrested After 6-Hour Lawrence Co. Standoff

Police in West Pittsburg, Lawrence County, said they took a rape suspect into custody after a six-hour standoff ended with officers storming the home.

Authorities said Michael Ray Tackett, 39, is in custody after being arrested Wednesday at his 14th Street home on a 2007 rape charge stemming from an incident in Crawford County.

Police said they tried to serve a warrant at about noon, but Tackett refused to the leave the house. Troopers evacuated neighbors before forcing their way into the home using smoke grenades at about 6 p.m.

"We all kept moving down the street until they got him out of there," neighbor Kiley Pollio said.

No injuries were reported.

Tackett has a long criminal history. According to court dockets, he was arrested in Lawrence County on rape charges in 2005. He was arrested again the following month on sex charges, but found not guilty.

In June 2009, police said he raped a real estate agent in Mercer County. He was out on bond awaiting trial in that case when he arrested on Wednesday.

Tackett was held Wednesday night on $500,000 bail at Lawrence County Jail and will be arraigned in Crawford County.

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