A registered sex offender, 45-year-old Brent Atherton of Bull Shoals, is being held on charges of criminal attempt to commit rape, residential burglary, second degree sexual assault, and an enhancement charge as an habitual offender.
Mountain Home Police Chief Carry Manual says Atherton’s arrest follows an incident early Wednesday morning when a caller reported an individual had illegally entered a residence.
According to Chief Manual’s press release, once inside, the individual, now identified as Atherton, went into a bedroom where a 17-year-old girl was sleeping. The individual placed himself on the girl and covered her mouth with his hand. The girl resisted, at which time she saw the perpetrator was naked. The 17-year-old was able to remove the intruder’s hand and scream for help.
After hearing the scream, a family friend responded and confronted the male intruder, who fled the residence. Responding officers located the suspect approximately one-quarter mile from the residence and took him into custody.
Atherton is a level three sex offender registered in Marion County.
Chief Manual says an investigation into the incident is ongoing.
Atherton is being held in the Baxter County Detention Center on a $500,000 bond.
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