ROGERS — Steven Ray James, 25, of 1101 W. Poplar St. in Rogers was arrested Tuesday in connection with sexual assault of a 3-year-old girl.
In a conversation partially recorded on a voicemail early Tuesday, James said he had cheated on his wife and “rubbed” himself against two girls, according to a probable cause affidavit. The conversation was reported to police.
During a forensic interview at the Children’s Advocacy Center, a 3-year-old girl told investigators James had touched her with a fishing pole, blocks and his hand.
James was arrested Tuesday afternoon in connection with two felony counts of second-degree sexual assault and misdemeanor possession of a controlled or counterfeit substance. The two sexual assault counts were in connection to the 3-year-old, said Keith Foster, Rogers Police Department public information officer.
The phone recording indicated James sexually assaulted another girl, now 8, when she was 4 or 5. When Rogers detectives questioned James Tuesday morning, he told them he did not want to be arrested because he made a 7-year-old touch him.
Rogers police determined James lived at the West Poplar address for less than a year, and lived in the county prior to moving to Rogers. Information on the case will be forwarded to the Benton County Sheriff’s Office for investigation, according to a police news release. James also previously lived in Bentonville, according to the probable cause affidavit.
James was being held Wednesday in the Benton County Jail with no bond set.