A Lancaster city man charged with raping and sexually assaulting a teenage girl he picked up at a county playground will have his case proceed to county court after waiving his preliminary hearing last week.

Nicklos Dennis McRae, 25, waived his preliminary hearing before Judge Adam Witkonis on July 2 on charges of rape forcible compulsion, statutory sexual assault, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse of a person less than 16 years of age, aggravated indecent assault, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse forcible compulsion, corruption of minors and sexual assault.

McRae, 25, is accused of raping and sexually assaulting the then-14-year-old victim at his residence in the 600 block of Union Street in August 2021. McRae would have been 21 years old at the time.

The victim told police McRae had picked her up at a children’s playground in Columbia and then took her back to his home where he began kissing her and making unwanted sexual advances. McRae proceeded to assault the victim despite her repeatedly telling him “no” and “stop.”

A forensic examination of the victim produced a DNA profile of her attacker. That profile was entered into a law enforcement database which identified McCrae.

When speaking to police McRae initially lied about ever knowing or interacting with the victim, but later admitted to picking her up in Columbia and having sex with her at his home.

McRae is currently free after posting $250,000 bail.

Lancaster City Bureau of Police Officer Benjamin Rothermel filed the charges.

Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth Lapp will prosecute the case.

All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.