A Utica man is accused of raping a mentally ill female under the age of 17, who later gave birth to a child.

Investigators say it happened in March of 2017 in Utica. 46-year-old Roger Herne of Utica is charged with Rape in the second and third-degrees.

Both are felony charges.

This all comes after a yearlong investigation. State Police, Oneida County law enforcement, the Utica Police Department, and U.S. Marshals were all involved.

The victim was offered Oneida County Child Advocacy Center services, and an Order of Protection was requested.