Mountain Home, AR. – The man who was arrested last year after being found in a cave living with a 14-year-old runaway has pleaded guilty to charges.
This story started in May of last year when a 14-year-old girl was listed as a missing runaway. Law enforcement found the girl in June when searching the rural areas of Marion County. Both the juvenile and Isaac Melder, a 40-year-old man at the time, were found living in a cave well-stocked with provisions for both of them.
This had not been the first event where the pair had engaged in an inappropriate relationship, and Melder had been suspected in aiding the juvenile escape.
Melder’s guilty plea applies only to his federal charge of Enticement to a Minor to Engage in Sexual Activity, and Melder has pleaded not guilty to state charges from both Baxter County and Marion County, which include multiple counts of Sexual Indecency with a Child.
Melder has made requests to have his charges dismissed due to his reported treatment while in custody, but the judge has declined to dismiss the charges.
