Joshua Chambers of Midway, who is charged with raping a 15-year-old female relative, made a first appearance in Baxter County Circuit Court Thursday and entered a not guilty plea. He was ordered to reappear in court July 20th by Judge Gordon Webb.
The incident leading to the charges against Chambers was reported to the Baxter County Sheriff’s Office on May 10th by the grandfather of the victim who serves as her legal guardian, according to the probable cause affidavit filed in the case.
The incident is alleged to have occurred on or about May 8th. The victim told investigators she was at Walmart with her boyfriend and the boyfriend’s grandmother when she received a telephone call from the 38-year-old Chambers asking her to meet with him.
The victim said she agreed and Chambers, who was reported to be driving a dark colored car, picked her up about 5 p.m. at the store. She told investigators that Chambers drove her to a remote residence she believed to be in the Midway area.
She said when they entered the residence, they “walked straight to the bedroom” located at the very back of the house.
The victim told investigators she was made to remove her clothing and lay on the bed. She said Chambers then “forced himself” on her.
Chambers, who was arrested in Oregon County, Missouri, was interviewed by a Baxter County Sheriff Office’s investigator at the Missouri jail.
According to the affidavit, Chambers admitted arranging the meeting, picking the girl up, taking her to the residence in the Midway area and having sex with her. It is at this point that Chambers’ story diverges from that of the victim. Chambers denied forcing himself on the young girl and said that the sexual activity was “the victim’s idea.”
Chambers, who will be represented by an attorney from the public defender’s office, is being held in the Baxter County jail with bond set at $250,000.
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