Trial reset for man charged with child sexual assault

TEXARKANA — A man charged with sexual assault of a child and other felonies has court dates in Miller and Bowie counties.

Robert Kelly Murphy, 48, of Texarkana, Arkansas, has a July 31 hearing in Bowie County’s 202nd District Court, according to court records. He is charged with sexual assault of a child and possession of child pornography.

Murphy was arrested in January on a charge of online solicitation of a minor after allegedly offering money for sex to an undercover police officer posing as a 16-yearold girl. He came to the attention of police during undercover stings to identify suspects in crimes against children, according to police.

Murphy was released from jail Feb. 1 after posting a $75,000 bond on the solicitation charge.

At the time of his arrest, two cellphones and a laptop were seized. Evidence allegedly collected from the devices resulted in additional charges.

In April, Murphy was arrested in Bowie County on charges of possession of child pornography and sexual assault of a child. He was booked into Bi-state Detention Center and later released on $200,000 bail.

Murphy is represented by attorney Shorty Barrett.

In Miller County, Murphy is charged with fourth-degree sexual assault, two counts of patronizing a victim of human trafficking, and possessing, distributing or viewing matter depicting the sexual exploitation of children. He was arrested on those charges in April, according to court records.

Murphy posted a $150,000 bond on those charges and signed a waiver of extradition to Bowie County, according to court records.

Murphy has an Oct. 10 pretrial hearing and Oct. 23 trial, according to Miller County Circuit Court records.

He is represented in Miller County by public defender Conner Herrold, according to records.