A Benton man is facing several charges on accusations that he drugged and raped a teenage boy.
James Gilliam, 32, was arrested and charged with rape, introduction of a controlled substance into the body of another person, possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was taken to the Saline County jail, but was no longer there Thursday night.
The 14-year-old boy reported the purported rape on Nov. 21, and Benton officers turned over the investigation to detectives, according to a news release Wednesday.
The boy told authorities that he and other friends were at Tyndall Park when a man persuaded him to visit his home. The teenager was drugged and raped at the home, police said.
Lt. Kevin Russell, the department spokesman, said detectives were still trying to determine what type of drug was given to the boy.
Authorities on Saturday executed a search warrant at Gilliam’s home and found some evidence, and methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, police said.
Russell wouldn’t disclose whether the boy was the only one in the group to go to the home, but said police encouraged any other possible victims to step forward.
Arkansas, Pages 15 on 11/29/2013