Arkansan accused of sexual encounter with teen girl; 20-year-old faces indecency charge

Artavis Deshun Lewis, 20, of West Memphis
Artavis Deshun Lewis, 20, of West Memphis

Police have arrested a man on a sexual indecency charge in a reported encounter that involved a teenage girl at a Little Rock home.

Artavis Deshun Lewis, 20, of West Memphis was taken into custody around noon Tuesday, records show. According to state law, sexual indecency with a child occurs when a person 18 years old or older solicits someone sexually under the age of 15.

Lewis had previously told the teen that he wanted to have sex with her in conversations on Facebook, according to authorities.

In September, the mother of a 15-year-old girl told police that her nine-month pregnant daughter was “possibly taken advantage of” by Lewis, noting a conversation in which the teen reportedly “began to sound like she was forced” into sex.

The teen, 14 years old at the time, said she was at a friend’s Little Rock residence babysitting Dec. 1, 2016, when Lewis followed her around and touched her buttocks, according to a report from the Little Rock Police Department.

After following the teen downstairs, Lewis picked up the girl, sat her on the kitchen counter and assaulted her until children entered the room, according to the report.

Police said Lewis then yelled at the children to return upstairs, at which point he, while restraining her by the wrist, continued to engage in sexual activity with the teen.

Lewis remained at the Pulaski County jail as of Wednesday afternoon, according to an online inmate roster, and bail has been set at $10,000. He has a court appearance scheduled for Tuesday.

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