Man shot in 2012 gambling raid sees separate rape charge dismissed

photo Clifford Billups

A 33-year-old Chattanooga man who was shot when he pointed a weapon toward a police officer in a 2012 gambling raid and was later charged with attempted murder had a separate rape charge dismissed Thursday.

Clifford Jamar Billups had faced a charge of aggravated statutory rape based on testimony from a juvenile alleged victim who told police she'd had consensual sex with Billups multiple times from 2009 to 2010.

In Criminal Court Judge Rebecca Stern's courtroom, prosecutor Brian Finlay told the judge that the alleged victim had recanted her testimony, saying the incidents never happened.

Billups faces gambling, assault, reckless endangerment and attempted murder charges and a May trial based on events at an illegal poker game police raided in April 2012.

Prosecutors allege that when police raided Suite 103 at 1618 Gunbarrel Road, Billups fled out the back with a handgun and when ordered to stop by Chattanooga police Officer John Patterson raised his weapon in the officer's direction.

That's when Patterson shot Billups.

Five months later, on Oct. 19, Billups was arrested by Patterson, this time at a high school football game. Patterson wrote in his report that he didn't recognize Billups but smelled alcohol on the man while responding to a fight in the crowd.

Billups was charged with public intoxication, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct in that incident. Those charges are scheduled for a March 19 General Sessions Court preliminary hearing.

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