Rape charge pending against man in an alleged assault of 13-year-old girl
TEXARKANA, Ark. — A charge of rape is pending against a man who allegedly threatened to kill a 13-yearold girl he met on social media if she “snitched” on him.
Michael Ray Beam, 29, is also accused of asking the girl for sexually exploitive photos and videos after providing her food and money for a couple of weeks, according to a probable cause affidavit. Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Connie Mitchell signed off on a formal charge against Beam this week.
He is currently being held in the Miller County jail with bail set at $75,000.
The investigation into Beam’s alleged misconduct began at the Wake Village Police Department in August. While investigating Beam for possible online solicitation of a minor, Wake Village Detective Todd Aultman arranged for a 13-year-old girl to be interviewed at the Texarkana Children’s Advocacy Center.
During a forensic interview, the girl allegedly revealed she was introduced to Beam on SnapChat in March. He allegedly provided her food and money for two weeks before asking her to send him sexually oriented photos and videos, according to the affidavit.
According to the affidavit, Beam allegedly threatened to “cut her off” if she didn’t send him photos and videos and allegedly sent the girl photos of himself with a black pistol.
“(The alleged victim) mentioned in her interview that Mr. Beam said that he likes young girls and that she was the youngest he has had,” the affidavit states.
During the interview, the girl made an outcry of sexual assault and described it as occurring at a location in Miller County, Arkansas. Aultman contacted the Miller County Sheriff ’s Office and handed the sexual assault investigation over to that jurisdiction.
Beam is charged with rape of a child under 14. If convicted he faces 25 to 40 years or life in prison. Beam is scheduled to appear in Miller County circuit court later this month. The case is assigned to Circuit Judge Brent Haltom.