Arkansas State Police arrest two Lexa residents on multiple child exploitation Charges

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Special Agents with the Arkansas State Police (ASP) Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, have arrested two Lexa residents in connection with an ongoing investigation into the sexual abuse of a juvenile female. The arrests were made on Monday, July 28, 2025, with the assistance of the Helena-West Helena Police Department and the Phillips County Sheriff’s Office.

Joshua Williams, 31, and Katelyn Williams, 30, both of Lexa, were taken into custody and are facing multiple felony charges, including Rape, Engaging Children in Sexually Explicit Conduct for Use in a Visual or Print Medium, Permitting Abuse of a Minor, Computer Exploitation of a Child, and Sexually Grooming a Child.

The investigation was initiated in March after ASP received a report of sexual abuse involving the juvenile. Following the investigation, ICAC Special Agents identified and located the suspects at a hotel in West Helena.

Joshua Williams was transported to the St. Francis County Detention Center and Katelyn Williams was transported to the Phillips County Detention Center.

Both suspects are being held on $1 million bond each.

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