A former Newton County resident, 27-year-old Daniel Cates, has been arrested and charged with a Class Y felony count of rape. Class Y felonies are the most serious classification of crime in Arkansas not punishable by death.
According to the probable cause affidavit filed Thursday, Cates’ arrest follows an incident last June when he is alleged to have engaged in sexual intercourse or deviate sexual activity with a then 13-year-old female.
In October, the Newton County Sheriff’s Office received a report from the Arkansas Crimes Against Children Division (CACD) of the State Police noting the victim had reportedly told a friend about the alleged incident. The friend reported the information to a school official who forwarded the information to CACD.
The incident reportedly occurred at a residence in Jasper and followed Cates allegedly making the victim smoke marijuana.
Family members told investigators when the allegations were made, Cates moved to Oklahoma.
Bond for Cates was set at $75,000.
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI