Searcy County Chief Deputy Dewayne Pierce escorts Devin Lars Williams for transport back to the Searcy County Detention Center where he will be held until sentencing later in the month. On Wednesday, Williams plead guilty to rape and sexual assault of a minor. Photo courtesy of the SCSO.

Williams pleads guilty in SC Circuit Court

  On Wednesday, February 16, in Searcy County Circuit Court, Devin Larks Williams, age 31, of Marshall plead guilty before the Honorable HG foster. Williams plead guilty to three counts of rape of a minor below the age of 14 and one count of sexual assault on a minor below the age of 14.

  Williams was arrested in June of last year following a joint investigation conducted by the Marshall Police Department and Searcy County Sheriff's Office. According to Searcy County Sheriff Kenny Cassell, 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. 

  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. Law enforcement seized the truck possessed by Williams and stored it in a secure location until a search warrant was issued.

  On June 7, during an interview between Chief Deputy Pierce and Williams, Williams provided Pierce with information that was submitted to the 20th Judicial Prosecuting Attorney securing his arrest.

  Williams was being held in the Searcy County jail on a $250,000 bail. Sentencing is scheduled for February 22 in Searcy County Circuit Court.