More charges filed against Myers

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

— Additional charges have been filed against a Pineville, Mo., man who was arrested last week in connection with the sexual abuse of a 15-year-old girl, and authorities believe there may be other victims.

Dennis Lee Myers, 51, was arrested Monday, Oct. 17, in connection with rape, a Class Y felony, and sexual assault in the fourth degree, a Class D felony.

On Thursday, more charges were filed against Myers who was still incarcerated.

Those charges are in connection with sexual assault in the second degree, a Class B felony, in connection with another girl.

In the first set of charges, according to court documents, a 15-year-old girl told a school counselor about sexual abuse allegations involving Myers. Thecounselor reported the allegations to the Arkansas State Police Crimes Against Children unit and the case was referred to the Pea Ridge Police Department.

The girl was interviewed at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Benton County where she reported being raped by Myers while in his vehicle at Pea Ridge City Park, according to court documents.

Myers was questionedby Pea Ridge police. He first claimed not to know the girl and denied being in the park, according to the affidavit. Myers later confessed to having sex with the girl in his pickup.

Myers’ bond was set at $50,000 in that case.

On the second set of charges, a 14-year-old girl was interviewed at the Children’s Advocacy Center and disclosed Myers touched her inappropriately on different occasions when she was 12.

His bond was set at $25,000 in that case.

According to court documents, police believe there are other victims and other law enforcement agencies also are conducting investigations involving Myers’ actions with girls. One case isbeing investigated by the Mc-Donald County, Mo., Sheriff’s Office and one is being investigated by the Springdale Police Department.

Pea Ridge police have handled several allegations against Myers since 2000, but those reports were unfounded because of little evidence, according to the affidavit.

Prosecutors have not filed formal charges against Myers.

Myers faces imprisonment from 10 to 40 years or life if convicted of rape.

He could be sentenced from five to 20 years for the Class B felony and up to six years for the Class D felony.

Myers was ordered not to have any contact with the girls. He was still in the Benton County Jail in lieu of $75,000 in bonds.

On the Record, Pages 3 on 10/26/2011