Photo: Jeffrey Thomas Barger
A 39-year-old Mountain Home man is jailed at the Baxter County Detention Center on rape charges after surrendering to law enforcement on Sunday evening.
Baxter County Sheriff John Montgomery says Jeffrey Thomas Barger was wanted on an outstanding bench warrant charging him with rape and sexual assault. The warrant was issued following an investigation of a complaint filed to the Arkansas State Police Crimes Against Children Division. The complaint was made Nov. 4 and alleged Barker had sexually assaulted two juvenile family members.
Both juveniles were interviewed at Grandma’s House Children’s Advocacy Center, and the sheriff says Barger was contacted by phone to request an interview to obtain his statement, which was refused. Barger could not be physically located. As a result of the interviews and investigation, Montgomery says sufficient evidence was obtained, and the 14th Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney’s Office was able to file charges.
Barger is being held on a $100,000 bond on the two felony charges, and Montgomery says Barger is expected to appear in Baxter County Circuit Court on Dec. 3. Should Barger make bond, there will be a no-contact order to prohibit him with any further contacted with the victims, the sheriff adds.
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