BENTONVILLE -- A Bella Vista man was arrested Tuesday in connection with the rape of a 5-year-old girl.
Chase Hallsted, 26, was being held Thursday in the Benton County Jail with a $50,000 bond. Hallsted was arrested in connection with three counts of rape, a felony. Prosecutors haven't filed formal charges against Hallsted.
The girl was interviewed Feb. 8 by an out-of-state agency and provided details of being sexually abused by Hallsted, according to a probable cause affidavit. The girl reported Hallsted instructed her not to to tell anyone about the abuse because she would get in trouble, according to the affidavit.
The girl had lived in Bella Vista, according to court documents.
Hallsted, when first interviewed by police, denied the accusations, according to the probable cause affidavit. He admitted he sexually abused the girl during a second interview with a detective, the affidavit states.
He wrote a letter of apology to the girl, according to the probable cause affidavit.
Hallsted's arraignment is scheduled for 8 a.m. June 6 in Circuit Judge Robin Green's court.
NW News on 04/22/2016