Two area men charged in unrelated cases with raping or attempting to rape teenage girls are both apparently headed to trial early next month, according to announcements made during a session of Baxter County Circuit Court Thursday.
Joshua Chambers of Mountain Home is charged with raping a 15-year-old close female relative in early May last year and Brent Atherton of Bull Shoals with the attempted rape of a 17-year-old Mountain Home girl in mid-May 2017.
The incident leading to charges being brought against Chambers was reported to the Baxter County Sheriff’s Office by the girl’s grandfather who is also her legal guardian.
The victim told investigators she had been at Walmart with her boyfriend and the boyfriend’s grandmother when she received a telephone call from the 39-year-old Chambers asking her to meet with him.
The victim said she agreed, and Chambers picked her up about 5 p.m. at the store. She told investigators Chambers drove her to a remote residence she believed to have been 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 claimed after they were in the room, Chambers “forced himself” on her.
About 10 days after the incident, Baxter County investigators learned Chambers had been arrested in Oregon County, Missouri and one of them went to the Missouri jail to interview the suspect.
According to the probable cause affidavit in the case, Chambers has admitted arranging the meeting, picking the girl up, taking her to the residence in Midway and having sex with her. Chambers has denied forcing himself on the young girl and claims the sexual activity was the victim’s idea. At one point, Chambers is alleged to have told investigators he “knew it was wrong.”
Chambers has been in the Baxter County Jail since June 30th last year with bond set at $250,000.
The 46-year-old Atherton is alleged to have entered the home where the 17-year-old girl lived, went to the bedroom where she was sleeping, placed himself on top of her and covered her mouth with his hands. The girl told investigators her attacker was nude.
The victim resisted and was able to scream for help. A family friend staying at the residence heard the scream and came to the girl’s aid. When confronted, Atherton fled the residence carrying some of his clothing.
Officers from the Mountain Home Police Department located Atherton running naked within approximately a quarter-mile from the residence where the alleged attack took place. He was arrested without incident.
Atherton is a Level 3 registered sex offender, meaning he is considered likely to re-offend. He was required to register after being convicted on charges of attempted rape and indecent exposure.
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI