A joint investigation conducted by the Marshall Police Department and Searcy County Sheriff's Office resulted in the arrest of a Marshall man on charges of rape and incest.

According to Searcy County Sheriff Kenny Cassell, 30 year-old Devin Lars Williams was arrested on June 4 and charged with rape of a minor. Cassell said the investigation began on June 4, 2021, when a twelve year-old juvenile female contacted law enforcement and alleged that she had been sexually assaulted on May 29 by Williams, who is a semi-truck driver.

According to the victim, the sexual assault occurred on May 29 in Marshall, inside the sleeping compartment of the semi-truck possessed by Williams.  The victim alleged that other assaults took place in Oxley in Searcy County, Marshall, Arkansas and Timbo in Stone County, over the last two years.  Law enforcement seized the truck possessed by Williams and stored it in a secure location until a search warrant was developed by Chief Deputy Dewayne Pierce. Marshall Police Chief Kevin Ward found Williams in the vehicle on June 4 as he was attempting to leave the state, and took him into custody. 

On June 5, the Honorable H.G. Foster, issued a search warrant for the semi-truck possessed by Williams. Chief Ward and Chief Pierce executed a search of the truck and located items of interest to the investigation.

On June 7, during an interview between Chief Deputy Pierce and Devin Williams, Williams provided Pierce with information that has been submitted to the 20th Judicial Prosecuting Attorney.

On Tuesday, June 8, Williams appeared in the Searcy County Circuit Court where Judge Foster set his bail at $250,000. Williams is currently being held in Searcy County Detention Center.

Allegations made to law enforcement concerning Stone County are currently under investigation by multiple agencies.

Ward and Pierce lead the investigation.