Two people are being held in the Stone County Detention Center on charges related to the alleged rape of a three-year-old boy.
Stone County Sheriff Lance Bonds says 21-year-old Mark Wayne Martin, II of Mountain View was arrested on July 31 following an investigation by officers with his agency and the Arkansas State Police Crimes Against Children Division. The victim in the case was listed as a three-year-old male from Stone County.
The investigation continued leading to the arrest of 21-year-old Gadel Bigham of Batesville on Friday after authorities received an allegation of sexual abuse concerning the existing case. Sheriff Bonds says a witness came forward and stated that Bigham had been seen assisting in the rape of the three-year-old juvenile.
Bigham is alleged to have confessed to assisting Martin in the rape and sexual assault of the victim, as well as threatening the witness if anything was said.
Sheriff Bonds says Martin is alleged to have confessed that he had sexual contact on at least two occasions with the victim.
Martin has been charged with two counts of rape and sexual indecency with a child, both felony charges.
Bigham has also been charged with two counts of rape and one count of intimidating a witness and being an accomplice.
Both are being held in the Stone County Detention Center on $100,000 bonds.
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