A man charged with sex crimes in two counties was due to show up in Baxter County Circuit Court Monday but could not make it because he was locked up in Washington County.
Twenty-eight-year-old Michael Anthony Smith, Jr., who listed his last address as “the streets of Columbia, Missouri,” is scheduled to appear in circuit court here via electronic hookup next month.
He was jailed at the Baxter County Detention Center August 13 on charges of false imprisonment and rape.
He did appear in Baxter County Circuit Court August 14 and pled not guilty to the charges against him.
The next day, he was taken to the Washington County jail.
Records indicate Smith has led a nomadic life. He once lived in Mountain Home and in Fayetteville and in Missouri. On the Washington County jail log, he lists Bearden as his place of residence.
BAXTER COUNTY CASE
Smith’s charge in Baxter County stemmed from a report made by an adult female in August last year. She reported to sheriff’s investigators that Smith had called and asked to come to her residence. The woman said she had met Smith when they both working for the same business In Mountain Home.
The woman said Smith arrived with a male companion. The man has since been identified as a long-time friend of Smith’s.
The woman told investigators she had gone into the master bedroom to check on her small child who was sleeping in the room.
When the victim turned around, she saw Smith blocking the bedroom door. He was alleged to have refused to let the victim exit the room. He is reported to have grabbed the victim by the throat and pushed her onto the bed.
Smith is accused of having forced three sex acts on the woman.
Once the assault was completed, Smith and his friend left the residence. The victim said Smiths friend remained in the living room and did not participate in the assault.
The victim was initially hesitant to report the rape saying she feared retaliation from Smith. Once she had made the report, the victim worked with investigators but remained fearful that Smith would return. She was reported to have been in close contact with investigators until Smith was Jailed.
WASHINGTON COUNTY CHARGES
Smith is charged with second degree sexual assault and failure to appear in Washington County.
The sexual assault is alleged to have occurred in late October 2021.
The same man who was reported to have been present at the rape in Baxter County was also alleged to have been with Smith when the incident in Washington County took place.
Smith was due to make a court appearance on the Washington County sexual assault charge in mid-April but was a no show and a failure-to-appear warrant was issued.
Smith was taken into custody in Columbia, Missouri on the Washington County warrants and brought back to Arkansas.
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