A registered sex offender was arrested Monday for allegedly walking around outside his apartment nude while children were in the area.
Donnie Ray Ford, 68, who reportedly lives at Manor Circle Apartments, was taken into custody around 5:30 p.m. and charged with indecent exposure, a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail. He remained in custody Tuesday in lieu of $5,000 bond and is set to appear today in Garland County District Court.
According to the probable cause affidavit, on June 4, Hot Springs police responded to 230 Manor Circle in reference to a man walking around in his apartment unclothed with the blinds open. Upon arrival, the man, identified as Ford, was seen walking around his apartment in his underwear.
On Sunday, police responded again to the apartments to assist the Arkansas Department of Human Services. Upon arrival, a DHS investigator stated she had seen Ford walk out of his apartment completely nude. She said he walked over to a short retaining wall near his apartment and smoked a couple of cigarettes before going back inside.
She noted there were several other apartment residents, including small children, in the area at the time.
Officers attempted contact with Ford, who could be seen inside his apartment walking around unclothed. At one point, Ford came to the door, but then turned and walked away refusing to speak to officers.
Detective Jarret Cantrell was notified of the incident due to Ford's status as a registered sex offender. The affidavit notes Ford has not yet received an assessment level from the state of Arkansas.
A warrant for Ford's arrest was issued Monday and he was located later that day in the 300 block of Werner Street and taken into custody without incident.
Local on 06/13/2018