A Troy man was arrested on Tuesday and charged with rape in the first degree.

Troy police arrested Marcus Little, 22, on the charge, which Troy Police Chief Randall Barr said occurred when Little was 19.

The charge is that Little engaged in sexual intercourse with a member of the opposite sex who is less than 12 years old, one of three acts that are classified as rape in the first degree.

The Alabama Code of Law defines rape in the first degree as engaging in sexual intercourse with a member of the opposite sex by forcible compulsion, engaging in sexual intercourse with a member of the opposite sex who is incapable of consent by reason of being physically helpless or mentally incapacitated, or a person of 16 years or older engaging in sexual intercourse with a member of the opposite sex who is less than 12 years old.

Rape in the first degree is a Class A felony. Little was released on Tuesday on $25,000 bond.

Under state law, Little could apply to be tried as a youthful offender.