The Barling Police Deprtment conducted an investigation that took approximately two months resulting in the arrest of an adult male suspect who was charged with Class Y Felony Rape of a Minor Under the agee of Fourteen.
According to officer Jeff Ramsey with the Barling Police Department, the investigation into the alleged sexual crime was launched after inforrmation was developed that Nathan Buel Pettygrew of Barling was involved in an inappropriate relationship with the minor.
The victim, who was known to the suspect, cannot be identified and Ramsey did not elaborate on their connection.
According to booking information from the Sebastian County Detention Center, Pettygrew as taken into custody and booked at 7:34 p.m. on Friday night was released just less than four hours later at 11:31 p.m. after posting a $100,000 legally sufficient bond.
"We do not think there is any threat to the public," Officer Ramsey said of the release. "He has bond conditions designed to protect the victim and the public."
A cursory check on Pettygrew's background through Arkansas Court Connect shows only four traffic offenses for speeding and two no-seat belt violations.
The SCDC booking information does not show a date for the initial preliminary hearing.
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