A Prescott, Arkansas man faces rape charges in two South Arkansas counties

arkadelphian.com

DISCLAIMER: The details in this article are disturbing. Reader discretion strongly advised.

Bernard Arthell Box, 29, who lists a Prescott address, faces rape charges in Clark and Nevada counties. Investigators say Box is responsible for the rapes of two females, both of whom were ages 10 or younger at the time of the molestations.

The newest court filing, filed this week in Clark County, notes that a victim explained to forensic interviewers that Box performed cunnilingus on her while at an Arkadelphia address. The victim reported the incident happened while she was under Box’s supervision. The victim was 4 at the time of the alleged rape.

The Clark County case was investigated by Sgt. Sherry Cleek of the Clark County Sheriff’s Office.

The Clark County investigation and subsequent charge was spurred by a similar case in Nevada County, where he has been in custody since his May arrest. An investigation by Nevada County authorities revealed that Box had inappropriately touched a child, who was also under his supervision at the time of the conduct.

Court filings in Nevada County indicate that there had been reasonable suspicion that Box was not fit to proceed to trial. A circuit judge’s order in September halted proceedings in the prosecution and ordered a mental examination by the Division of Aging, Adult and Behavioral Health Services. Results from that examination, however, would reveal that Box had no disqualifying mental disease. Box graduated Prescott High School with a 3.8 GPA and attended University of Arkansas Community College at Hope for a welding program he did not finish.

Box was found fit for trial in a court ruling filed Thursday, Nov. 6, in Nevada County Circuit Court.

Rape is a Class Y felony, and each count is punishable by 10-40 years or life in prison.