A local man was arrested Wednesday night on multiple felony charges, including rape and attempted rape, stemming from allegations of numerous sexual assaults involving a 13-year-old girl beginning in February.
Kevin Maurice Ward, 43, who lists a Spring Street address, was taken into custody shortly after 8 p.m. and charged with one count of rape, punishable by up to life in prison, two counts of criminal attempt at rape, punishable by up to 30 years, and three counts of second-degree sexual assault, punishable by up to 20 years.
Ward remained in custody Thursday in lieu of bonds totaling $285,000 and is set to appear today in Garland County District Court.
According to the probable cause affidavit, on April 11, Hot Springs police Detective Jarrett Cantrell was notified by Arkansas State Police Crimes Against Children investigator Kathy Finnegan of a possible sex offense involving a 13-year-old girl. He and Finnegan went to the girl's school that same day and spoke to her about the allegations.
The girl reportedly told them that, from February to April 6 of this year, she had been sexually abused by a known suspect, identified as Ward. On April 17, the girl was formally interviewed at the Cooper-Anthony Mercy Child Advocacy Center.
She reportedly disclosed the first incident occurred in February where Ward allegedly fondled her on a sofa. She described a second incident on a sofa where he removed her clothing and molested her. A third incident allegedly involved lying down beside her while she was on a bed watching television and again molesting her.
She described a fourth incident that allegedly occurred on April 6 when Ward followed her into her bedroom, removed her clothing and raped her. She also described two other incidents where Ward allegedly forced her to fondle him and was able to describe his privates.
After further investigation, warrants for Ward's arrest on the multiple charges was issued on Tuesday.
Around 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sgt. Richard Harkness spotted Ward driving a green 2009 Kawasaki Ninja in the 200 block of Glade Street and saw him pull into the driveway of a residence there. Officers responded and set up a perimeter around the residence, but Ward had apparently left moments earlier.
A short time later, Ward was spotted again on Mount Ida Street and was stopped at its intersection with Glade Street and taken into custody without incident.
Local on 05/04/2018