Pearcy man charged with rape of 15- year- old girl
A Pearcy man was arrested Tuesday afternoon on a felony charge of rape stemming from sexual abuse allegations by a 15- year- old girl.
Kevin Christopher Chapman, 39, who lists an address of 133 Hilltop Road, was taken into custody around 3 p. m. at the Garland County Court House on a warrant and was initially held on $ 100,000 bond. His bond was later reset to $ 50,000 by Garland County Circuit Court Judge John Homer Wright following a hearing and Chapman was later released.
According to the affidavit, on Nov. 22, 2014, Arkansas State Police Investigator Charles Anderson began an investigation into the victim’s allegations involving Chapman. The victim was interviewed that same day and reportedly disclosed she was sexually molested and raped by Chapman in the past couple of months after he gave her Xanax.
The victim was interviewed again on audio and videotape on Nov. 25, at the Cooper- Anthony Mercy Child Advocacy Center by forensic interviewer Aaron Triplett with Anderson and Garland County sheriff’s Investigator Jennifer Tonseth present.
During the interview, the victim again indicated she was raped and molested by the suspect after being given Xanax. The incidents allegedly occurred three separate times between Sept. 25 and Nov. 22, 2014, at Chapman’s residence.
On Nov. 22, Chapman was interviewed after being advised of his rights and reportedly denied any sexual contact with the victim. He consented to the taking of a DNA sample and two swabs were taken from his mouth.
A blue and pink quilt and an electric blanket were collected as evidence in the case and submitted to the state crime lab along with the samples from Chapman on April 28, 2015, the affidavit states. On May 25, a report from the crime lab was received by investigators which reportedly indicated semen found on the quilt was matched to Chapman’s DNA profile.
Based on the findings, Tonseth was able to obtain a warrant for Chapman’s arrest. Rape is a class Y felony punishable by up to life in prison.