A Baxter County man was arrested Saturday morning in Newton County after allegedly having sexual contact with an underage girl. According to the Harrison Daily Times, 31-year-old Christopher Collins of Mountain Home is in the Newton County Jail in Jasper charged with third-degree sexual assault, residential burglary, unlawful computerized communications, felony possession of drug paraphernalia and internet stalking of a child. His bond is set at $50,000.
Sheriff’s Investigator Glenn Wheeler says officials were investigating a reported sexual assault of a girl after her aunt went into her room and found a naked man in her bed. The aunt says the man fled out of an open window and appeared to be at least in his 30s.
Wheeler says investigators determined the girl was in contact with a man on Facebook Messenger and adult-oriented sites chatting and sending pictures online. Authorities also discovered shortly after the suspect fled the house in eastern Newton County, he allegedly contacted the girl again on Facebook Messenger.
The Newton County Sheriff’s Office, the Arkansas State Police Crimes Against Children Division and Grandma’s House Children’s Advocacy Center initiated an investigation as they interviewed the girl. They were also given access to her account and continued to correspond with the suspect who at the time was still unidentified. The suspect later set up a meeting at a specific location and gave a description of his vehicle believing he was corresponding with the girl. Investigators set up surveillance in the area as they continued to chat online with the suspect.
A vehicle fitting the description arrived at the location and was stopped by investigators just after three a.m. Saturday, and it contained specific items the suspect stated he would bring. Authorities took Collins into custody and transported him to the Newton County Jail.
Wheeler says the 14th Judicial District Drug Task Force and the Grove Township Constable also assisted in the case, and as the case moves forward, the Newton County Sheriff’s Office will seek assistance from the office of Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge.
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