16 Additional charges filed against former MH man already jailed for rape of a minor

A former Mountain Home man who was arrested earlier this month for rape of a minor is now facing 16 additional charges in the case.

Forty-one-year-old Matthew Austin Prewett is facing new charges including eight counts of invasion of privacy of a victim less than 18-years-old; and one count each of statutory sodomy in the 1st degree; sexual misconduct involving a child under 15; possession of child pornography; sexual exploitation of a minor; child molestation in the 3rd degree; abuse or neglect of a child less than 14-years-old; furnishing pornographic material or attempt to furnish to a minor; and tampering with physical evidence in felony prosecution.The original charges against Prewett following his arrest earlier this month include one count of rape of a person 14 years-of-age or younger, two counts of deviate sexual intercourse with a person 14-years-of-age or younger, two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of enticement of a child.According to the probable cause affidavit, during the course of the investigation into Prewett, after obtaining a search warrant for his cell phone, it was learned Prewett had hidden cameras in his residence in Kennett. Cameras were located in the main bathroom and living room, and two more in another area of the house.

Investigators found video from the camera located in the bathroom of a 14-year-old nude juvenile drying off after a shower. A search warrant was then granted to seize the hidden cameras from Prewett’s residence.

Between the timeframe of November 2021 until May 2022, the bathroom camera captured video of at least eight juveniles. Allegedly, some of the videos were saved to Prewett’s cell phone.

On May 10 a victim disclosed in a safe exam room interview they had sexual intercourse with Prewett twice as well as other inappropriate sexual conduct as many as eight times. It is alleged the victim and Prewett also shared pornographic images via text message. The victim stated Prewett sent her a text saying if they were ever caught, he would take the victim along with him to obtain fake IDs and travel to Mexico.

On May 17, a parent of a victim came forward and stated they filed a report in 2018 after having found her child asleep in bed, with Prewett completely nude next to them.

Prewett was allegedly advised by a victim they had been caught thus leading to Prewett fleeing the state. It is said Prewett made contact with his children stating he was in trouble and would probably be arrested.

Investigators state it is believed Prewett deleted content and messaged off his phone prior to being arrested. Prewett’s cell phone along with several other electronics are being turned over to the Federal Bureau of Investigation to retrieve contenct, data, messages and deleted data from the phone and electronics.

Due to Prewett’s flight risk, the court has ordered him to be held without bond.

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