March 30, 2007
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - An inmate was jailed as a man for more than a week on a statutory rape charge before a shower revealed the prisoner was a woman.

Alexander David Cross, also known as Elaine Ann Cross, had been in the Hamilton County Jail awaiting a court appearance Wednesday. Cross pleaded guilty to the charge in a deal with prosecutors.

The charge stems from an alleged sexual relationship with a 15-year-old girl. Prosecutors allege Cross, 42, and the teenager had sexual contact at least three times during June and July 2006.

Officials said Cross' gender was revealed when jail authorities forced the inmate to take a shower.

"After about 10 days in jail, they figure out Alex Cross is a female," prosecutor Boyd Patterson said in court.

The plea means no jail time will be required if Cross stays out of trouble for six years. Cross must register as a convicted sex offender and have no contact with the teen. The gender designation also must be changed to female on Cross' driver's license.

Cross couldn't immediately be located for comment.

© 2007 The Associated Press