Joseph Atchison, 18, was arrested in connection with rape Jan. 18.
Atchison had sexual contact with a 7-year-old girl in 2013 at a residence in Pea Ridge when he was 17, according to the
probable cause affidavit.
Police contacted Atchison's parents as soon as the arrest warrant was issued and attempted to locate him repeatedly, unsuccessfully. The warrant was issued Jan. 13.
The initial report was filed on Dec. 22, 2013, by the mother of the child. The mother reported that she had learned of sexual contact between Atchison and her daughter. Police notified the Child Abuse Hotline.
The girl was interviewed at Children's Advocacy Center where she described the contact, according to the probable cause affidavit.
Atchison was a passenger in a vehicle that was stopped by Pea Ridge Police for a traffic violation on South Curtis Avenue near Sugar Creek Road on Jan. 18.
Atchison also was charged with obstructing governmental operations for initially giving a false name to police and minor in possession, as a result of the traffic stop.
He was booked into the Benton County Jail, but later transferred to the county Juvenile Detention Center since he was a minor at the time of the crime.
General News on 01/22/2014