Prosecutors filed formal charges Wednesday against the Bentonville man accused of raping and killing his 6-year-old neighbor, Jersey Bridgeman.
Zachary Dwayne Holly, 28, is charged with capital murder, kidnapping, and rape, all Class Y felonies. He is also charged with residential burglary, a Class B felony.
Holly was arrested Nov. 26.
His arrest came after a nearly weeklong investigation into Jersey’s death.
DesaRae Bridgeman discovered her daughter wass missing when she woke up shortly after 6:30 a.m. Nov. 20, according to court documents.
Bentonville police officers Travis Nichols and Mike Henson found Jersey’s body in the closet of an abandoned house at 704 S.E. A St., just south of Holly’s mobile home. A medical examiner found the girl died from asphyxia, according to court documents.
Holly lived at 702 S.E. A St., next door to Jersey’s home at 608 S.E. A St.
Holly is being held in the Benton County Jail without the benefit of bond.
His arraignment is scheduled for Monday morning in Circuit Judge Robin Green’s court.