Man pleads not guilty to sex crimes involving girls

BENTONVILLE -- A Springdale man pleaded not guilty today to sex crimes involving two girls.

Devon Shane Westbrook is charged with rape and sexual assault in the second degree. He entered his not guilty pleas at his arraignment before Benton County Circuit Judge Robin Green.

Westbrook, 22, was arrested Sept. 25.

Springdale police interviewed a 14-year-old girl in July who reported she was raped when she attended a party, according to a probable cause affidavit. The girl told police she was given alcohol and at one point Westbrook forced her onto a mattress and raped her, the affidavit says. The teen said she told Westbrook no and yelled for her friends, but Westbrook struck her in the face twice and she then blacked out, according to the affidavit.

A 13-year-old girl, who also attended the party, told police she was given marijuana and alcohol and fell asleep in a upstairs bedroom, according to court documents. The girl said she was awakened by someone moving her to the bed and the person began touching her inappropriately, according to the affidavit.

Witnesses reported going into the bedroom and seeing Westbrook fondling the girl, the affidavit states.

Westbrook's next court appearance is set for Nov. 29.

Circuit Judge Brad Karren also signed a order today granting a prosecutor's request to obtain a DNA sample from Westbrook.

He was being held Monday in the Benton County Jail with a $25,000 bond.

NW News on 11/07/2017

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