A Melbourne man is in custody after being charged with one count of rape and five counts of sexual assault involving a minor child.
According to a statement from the Izard County Sheriff’s Department on Tuesday afternoon, a $300,000 bond was set for 39-year-old Jeremiah Coffer (pictured below) based on the felony charges filed June 17 in Izard County Circuit Court.
The statement said Coffer has been on the lam since the charges were filed.
The statement said the sheriff’s department was notified by the Arkansas State Police Child Abuse Hotline in April of an alleged sexual assault that occurred in Izard County involving Coffer.
Authorities interviewed the alleged victim who related incidents that occurred with Coffer in detail, the statement said. Investigators also noted evidence was also recovered at that time.
The statement said Coffer was interviewed by investigators on April 13, but the interview was stopped when Coffer’s counsel arrived.
Coffer is charged with one count of rape, which is a Class Y felony, one count of sexual assault in the first degree, a Class A felony, and four counts of sexual assault in the second degree, which are Class B felonies.
Image via Izard County Sheriff’s Department
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