A 65-year-old Batesville man is in jail facing one count of rape.
Russell Christopher Ade (pictured below) was charged in Independence County Circuit Court on Friday with the Class Y felony.
Class Y felonies can carry penalties of no less than ten years to 40 years or life. The court information noted the charge involved a child under the age of 14.
According to the arrest affidavit, Batesville Police Detective Brenda Bittle received information from Crimes Against Children earlier this month regarding a minor who had disclosed to a counselor of being inappropriately touched by Ade.
After another interview on the same day, the child told officials about more than one incident involving Ade, the affidavit said.
The court information said Batesville Police took Ade into custody in the front yard of his residence on July 7. Authorities had obtained a search warrant and conducted a search of the residence, confiscating a number of items as apparent evidence in the case.
During an interview at the police department, Ade denied having sexual contact with the minor. The affidavit said that when asked by Bittle why the minor would lie about the accusations, Ade then requested an attorney.
Ade is currently being held on the charge after Judge Chaney Taylor placed him on a $500,000 bond.
Image via Independence County Sheriff’s Department
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