Georgia Power worker charged with raping customer

MARIETTA - A Georgia Power worker is accused of raping a woman in her Cobb County home while he was on duty this week. The man has been fired, according to a statement released by company officials. <br> <br> Rhett Dean Howell, 34, of Villa Rica, was arrested Wednesday and charged with rape and sexual battery. <br> <br> Howell, who was in uniform and driving a Georgia Power vehicle, went to the home to serve a disconnection notice on Tuesday, according to police. Once inside the southwest Cobb County house, he raped a 42-year-old woman. <br> <br> The victim, who was not identified, was treated at an area hospital and released. <br> <br> ``It&#39;s just appalling,&#39;&#39; Cobb County police spokesman Dana Pierce said Wednesday. ``We believe there are other victims ... and that this suspect has used this tactic or ploy to gain entrance to a home.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Georgia Power officials said in a statement that routine background checks are conducted for employment but they did not find any criminal charges or convictions in Howell&#39;s background. <br> <br> ``We are deeply disturbed by this situation and have terminated this individual&#39;s employment with the company,&#39;&#39; according to the statement released by Georgia Power. <br> <br> Investigators cautioned that there may be other victims of assaults carried out by suspects who appear to be, and sometimes are, acting in an official capacity. <br> <br> Howell was expected in court Thursday. He was being held in the Cobb County Jail.

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