Man charged with rape enters not guilty plea

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Photo: Jeffery Thomas Barger

A Mountain Home man charged with sexually assaulting and raping two juvenile family members has entered a plea of not guilty to the charges against him.

The attorney for 39-year-old Jeffery Thomas Barger filed a waiver of arraignment in the case Nov. 30 and asked the court to enter the not guilty plea.

The investigation leading to Barger’s arrest was launched Nov. 4 when a complaint about his alleged activities was made to the Arkansas State Police Crimes Against Children Division.

Both juveniles were interviewed at Grandma’s House Children’s Advocacy Center in Mountain Home.

Barger was contacted by phone to request an interview to obtain his side of the story, but he reportedly refused to make himself available and could not be located.

The probable cause affidavit in the case has been sealed at the request of prosecutors.

Charges were filed, and a bench warrant was issued for his arrest Nov. 13. He surrendered himself at the Baxter County Detention Center Nov. 22.

His bond is set at $100,000. Barger is court ordered not to have contact with the victims.

Little Rock attorney George Morledge IV is representing him.

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