An Oxford, Arkansas man has been arrested after authorities have charged him with the alleged rape of a minor.
According to a media release from the Izard County Sheriff’s Department, Ethan Samuel Hope (pictured below), 29, was arrested and charged with a Class Y felony after a call was made to the Arkansas State Police Crimes Against Children Abuse Hotline.
Investigators with the Izard County Sheriff’s Department interviewed the biological mother and made arrangements for the victim to be interviewed at the Independence County Children’s Advocacy Center, the release said.
During the course of the interview, officials said Hope denied any sexual activity with the child, but confirmed “he was the only person who had access to the victim that would be required to engage in sexually inappropriate acts,” the release noted.
Hope is currently incarcerated in the Izard County Detention Center. He is being held on a $100,000 bond.
Hope is also facing two felony counts of sexual indecency with a child stemming from December 2020 charges. According to court documents filed in February, a jury trial on those charges is scheduled for May 2022 after numerous delays. Click here for more information on that story.
Image via Izard County Sheriff’s Department
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