An Izard County man, who has been previously arrested for sex crimes involving a 10-year-old girl, has been arrested for the alleged rape of a 4-year-old girl. Twenty-nine-year-old Ethan Samuel Hope of Oxford is being held on a $100,000 bond on a rape charge, a class Y felony, the most serious felony in Arkansas not punishable by the death penalty.
According to the probable cause statement in the case, the Izard County Sheriff’s Office was notified last week by the Arkansas State Police Crimes Against Children Division of an alleged sexual assault that occurred in the county. An anonymous report had been made to the Arkansas State Police Child Abuse Hotline saying a 4-year-old girl had been sexually assaulted by an adult male guardian.
During an interview with law enforcement, the victim described what Hope had allegedly done to her.
Hope told investigators he had never inappropriately touched the victim but confirmed at least twice he was the only person who had the access to the victim that would be required to engage in sexually inappropriate acts with her.
Hope was previously arrested in December 2020 for allegedly sending nude photos of himself to a 10-year-old female. He was charged with two felony counts of sexual indecency with a child. The case is still waiting to be heard in court after multiple continuances.
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