March 9, 2015

 

On February 27, 2015, a call was placed to the Crimes against Children Division of the Arkansas State Police about a possible sexual abuse case in Hempstead County involving a 12 year old male.

 

Investigators of the Hempstead County Sheriff’s Office and Agents of the Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation division launched an investigation into the allegations.

 

As an early result of that investigation Investigators from the Hempstead County Sheriff’s Office and Agents from the Arkansas State Police, arrested 71 year old James Carl Pafford of Hope, Arkansas for Rape of a person who is less than 14 years old, Sexual Assault in the Second Degree on a person who is less than 14 years of age, And Sexually Grooming a Child.

 

Pafford was taken into custody at a residence in Hope at approximately 4:45 P.M. today March 9, 2015, as  Hempstead County Investigators and  ASP Agents served a search warrant at a residence on West 16th Street.

 

The investigation is in its early stages and is expected to continue over the next several weeks. Pafford was transported to the Hempstead County Detention Center where he is awaiting a first appearance.