An Izard County man, already jailed on multiple sex charges, including rape, involving an underage female, has now been charged with multiple sex crimes, including rape, involving an underage boy. Five more felony charges have been filed against 20-year-old James Bennett Powell of Melbourne.
According to the probable cause affidavit from the Izard County Sheriff’s Office, the male victim told investigators he witnessed Powell abuse and sexually abuse the female victim multiple times. He said the incidents involving both him and the female victim happened primarily when his mother was not home.
The victim says the sexual assaults against him happened more than ten times. He told investigators Powell told him to not tell anyone about their secret.
For the latest arrest, Powell is charged with two counts of rape, one count of second degree sexual assault and two counts of sexual indecency with a child, all felonies. Rape is a class Y felony, the most serious crime in Arkansas not punishable by the death penalty. Powell is being held in the Izard County Jail where his bond on the new charges is $500,000 bringing his total bond to $1 million.
PREVIOUS CHARGES
Powell was originally arrested in May on eight felony charges.
Law enforcement learned of the sexual assault and interviewed the victim. Investigators said Powell’s answers to questions closely matched details given by the victim.
During that arrest, Powell was charged with two counts of rape, three counts of second degree sexual assault, two counts of sexual indecency with a child and one count of employing or consenting to the use of a child in a sexual performance because a second minor was present. He also picked up a misdemeanor charge of resisting arrest.
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