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BOND SET IN RAPE ALLEGATION

By Ray King/OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF
Friday, June 26, 2009 11:26 PM CDT

A $10,000 bond was set Friday for a Pine Bluff man who allegedly touched a minor female inappropriately.

Circuit Judge Rob Wyatt Jr. set the bond after ruling prosecutors had probable cause to charge Ricky Lenard, 49, with rape, based on an affidavit from police Detective Michael Roberts.

Reading from that affidavit, Deputy Prosecutor Cymber Gieringer said police were sent to the 1500 block of Humac Street Thursday in response to a reported assault that had turned into a disturbance.

She said when officers arrived, they found a group of people holding Lenard down, and the victim’s mother told officers that Lenard had “put his hand down her daughter’s pants and touched her.”

Roberts reported that he talked to the girl, age six, and she told him the same story the mother had, saying that she was outside with Lenard when he put his hand down her shorts and touched her.

Gieringer said Lenard had prior convictions dating back to the 1970s, is on parole under active supervision, and has a warrant for his arrest that had been issued in Spokane, Wash., in 1989.

In addition to setting the bond, Wyatt ordered Lenard to have no contact with the girl or her family until the case is settled.

Also Friday, the judge set a $2,500 bond for Jordan Golden, 28, after ruling prosecutors had probable cause to charge Golden with residential burglary, misdemeanor theft of property, and criminal mischief.

Gieringer said police were sent to 2407 W. 26th Ave., Wednesday where the home owner reported that a television, a computer monitor, compact disc player and other items were missing. Entry was gained by breaking a glass in the rear door.

A witness across the street identified Golden as the possible suspect, and Gieringer said he admitted entering the house and taking the items, which were valued at $614.

Golden, who Gieringer said had an active arrest warrant from Arkadelphia, told the court he would hire his own attorney. By Ray King

OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF

Jefferson County Sheriff’s deputies are asking for help in locating a Pine Bluff man who is a suspect in a homicide that occurred June 21 on Middle Warren Road.

Capt. Bernard Adams said Deaundre Cortez Jones, 26, should be considered armed and extremely dangerous, and anyone with information should contact Lt. Steve McFatridge or Investigator Mickey Buffkin at 541-5496.

Jones is being sought for questioning in the death of Vincent Rouse Jr., 23, whose body was found in the 7200 block of Middle Warren Road after a passing motorist reported seeing someone in a ditch.

Rouse was pronounced dead at the scene by Deputy Coroner John Lawson, who listed the cause of death as apparent gunshot wounds.

Sheriff’s Capt. John McNeil said it appeared that Rouse was shot at another location, then taken to Middle Warren Road where he was found.

Adams said Jones is also being sought after a circuit judge signed an order Friday revoking his bond on three felony warrants for possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver.

Jones, who has a gunshot wound to the stomach that is held together with staples, is 5-feet, 7-inches tall and weighs 150 pounds.

His last known addresses were 3202 Palm St., and 801 W. 15th Ave., both in Pine Bluff.

His wife drives a white, four-door newer model Toyota, Adams said.

Anyone with information about Jones should contact the Criminal Investigation Division at 541-5496, and all calls will be kept confidential.

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