Joseph Neal, Jr: Lawyer and his ex-wife charged with raping their teenage babysitter

A prominent Georgia lawyer and his ex-wife are awaiting trial on charges of raping their 18-year-old babysitter.

Joseph Neal, Jr, 43, and Caroline Neal, 23, were indicted on felony charges on March 6 after a teenage girl said they plied her with alcohol and marijuana and attempted to sexually assault her at their Summerville home last year.

The Neals have pleaded not guilty and were released on bond.

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Richmond County investigators told The Augusta Chronicle the alleged incident occurred on December 16, 2011.

According to a sheriff’s office incident report, the 18-year-old woman told police Joseph Neal, a one-time candidate for general solicitor and president of the Summerville Neighbourhood Association, gave her four to five alcoholic beverages and marijuana before he had 'caal knowledge of her without her consent and without her will'.

The Neals were married on May 28 but were living apart by last September, according to court records obtained by the Chronicle.

Joseph Neal filed for divorce on October 4, stating the marriage was 'irretrievably broken'. Her lawyer filed a counterclaim on October 12, which has been sealed from the public.

Police were called to the Neals' home to settle a domestic dispute on December 21, a day after the woman reported the alleged incident.

Accused: Joseph Neal, Jr faces the same charges as his ex-wife in regards to the alleged December 16, 2011 incident at their Summerville, Georgia home

Released: Joseph Neal appears shackled in court at a March hearing, before he was released on $50,000 bond

Caroline Neal was accused of repeatedly hitting and scratching her husband in front of his 13-year-old son, the Chronicle reports.

She was charged with simple battery and booked into Richmond County jail after release from hospital for treatment of two leg cuts her husband said were a result of his wife kicking a glass door. Joseph Neal suffered cuts to his back and arm but did not require treatment.

Joseph and Caroline Neal were listed as a suspect and tued themselves in to police in March.

They were indicted on the same charges of rape and on fuishing alcohol to a person under 21.

Jailed: Caroline Neal is awaiting trial on the felony charges after being released on $30,000 bond

Joseph Neal was subsequently released on $50,000 bond; Caroline Neal was released on $30,000.

Her lawyer, Pete Theodocion, described her involvement in the alleged incident as 'minor', in an interview with News Channel 6.

Joseph Neal has practiced law for 18 years, specializing in serious personal injury and wrongful death, according to his website.

According to the South Carolina Bar, his license has been temporarily suspended.

His attoey did not respond to request for comment.