After reviewing information presented by the Independence County Sheriff’s Department and prosecutors, 16th Judicial District Circuit Judge Don McSpadden issued a probable cause arrest warrant and placed a suspect under a $1,000,000 bond in an aggravated residential burglary, theft, and rape case.
The circuit court information said the incident occurred on Nov. 10, 2018. DNA evidence was sent to the Arkansas State Crime Lab for identification and analysis and returned to the sheriff’s department in April of this year.
The court records say a man, later identified as Michael Shane Midkiff, 30, entered a Southside residence wearing a mask and hood and forced a female occupant in the home to accompany him throughout the house, where he took several items.
The suspect also allegedly forced the woman to perform a sex act that was interrupted by witnesses — at which time he fled the scene, according to the court documents. The documents also note the victim, along with a glove left at the scene, were both checked for the suspect’s DNA.
On the night of the incident, the court documents note arriving officers saw the suspect in the roadway and detained him for questioning. The stolen items were also later found in a nearby creek.
When the DNA analysis returned from the Arkansas State Crime Lab, it was identified as that of Michael Shane Midkiff, according to court records. Midkiff was sought for an interview and provided an admission to the crime, telling authorities he entered the residence with a knife, according to the documents.
Midkiff is accused and charged with aggravated residential burglary, theft or property, and rape. Since he’s been previously convicted of four or more felonies, Midkiff is also being tried under the habitual offender law.
He remains in jail on a bond of $1,000,000.
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