JONESBORO — A northeast Arkansas pastor says he’s prepared to face his criminal charges after he was arrested on suspicion of sexually assaulting a teenage girl.
Charles Hughes, 35, appeared in court Thursday for a first appearance after he was arrested on suspicion of first-degree sexual assault, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and obstructing governmental operations.
Police accuse the Monette pastor of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl who was reported missing in Nebraska. The teen, who’s related to Hughes’ wife, was found safe Wednesday at a mobile home in Monette.
The Jonesboro Sun reports that Hughes told a judge Thursday that he knew what he did was wrong.
Police say federal charges are possible because the teen was taken across state lines. Hughes is scheduled to be arraigned April 13.