A Mountain Home man, 39-year-old Jeffrey Thomas Barger, surrendered himself at the Baxter County Detention Center Sunday evening, November 22nd, on an outstanding bench warrant charging him with rape and sexual assault.
The warrant was issued following an investigation into a complaint received by the Arkansas State Police Crimes Against Children Division on November 4th alleging that Barger had sexually assaulted two juvenile children who are family members.
The two female juvenile victims were forensically interviewed separately at the Grandma’s House Children’s Advocacy Center in Mountain Home. Investigators also contacted Barger by phone to ask for an interview to obtain his statement in response to the allegations, however Barger would not agree to make himself available for interview and could not be physically located. As a result of the interviews and investigation, sufficient evidence was obtained for investigators to ask the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office to file charges against Barger.
Charges were filed, and a bench warrant was issued on November 13th by the Circuit Court. Barger surrendered himself to the Detention Center on Sunday and was booked on charges of:
Rape – Felony
Sexual Assault in the Second Degree – Felony
Barger is being held in custody in lieu of $100,000 bond. He will appear before the Circuit Court to answer the charges on December 3rd. Should he make bond, there will be a no contact order in place to prohibit him from having any further contact with the victims unless authorized by the court
