An area man is in custody after pleading guilty to raping a juvenile. Thirty-one-year-old Devin Williams of Marshall is being held in the Searcy County Detention Center after entering his plea Wednesday in Searcy County Circuit Court to three counts of rape of a minor below the age of 14 and one count of sexual assault on a minor below the age of 14.
Searcy County Sheriff Kenny Cassell says the investigation began on June 4, when a 12-year-old female contacted law enforcement and alleged she had been sexually assaulted six days earlier by Williams, a semi-truck driver. The victim alleges the sexual assault occurred inside the sleeping compartment of the semi-truck possessed by Williams in Marshall. The victim alleged that other assaults occurred in Marshall, Oxley and Timbo over the last two years.
Marshall Police Chief Kevin Ward reportedly found Williams in the vehicle on June 4, as he was attempting to leave the state and took him into custody. Law enforcement seized the truck possessed by Williams and stored it in a secure location until a search warrant was issued. Three days later, Williams reportedly provided Searcy County Chief Deputy Dewayne Pierce with information that was submitted to the 20th Judicial District prosecuting attorney securing his arrest.
Williams’ bail is set at $250,000. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for Tuesday in Searcy County Circuit Court.
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