5 officers commended for work in rape case

June 22--Five Helena-West Helena Police officers received letters of accommodation from Police Chief James Smith for their actions resulting in the apprehension of several suspects in an incident involving the rape of a 14-year-old child. Smith made the presentations in the presence of Mayor Jay Hollowell at City Hall Monday.

The recipients were Cynthia Gamble, Juanita Mills, Takiyah Walker, Wesley Smith and Aresino Jefferson.

Smith reported that since April 3, the H -- WHPD's General Investigation Bureau and the Arkansas State Police's Crimes Against Children Unit have been investigating the rape case, which allegedly involved the rape of a minor by a 29-year-old male. The victim's mother is currently in custody on charges of permitting the abuse of a minor, endangering the welfare of a minor in the first degree and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Her bond was set at $55,000.

Additional investigation led to felony warrants being issued for the male suspect and his wife. The male was charged with rape and bond was set at $500,000. His wife faces charges of being an accomplice to rape, endangering the welfare of a minor in the first degree, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

These two suspects fled the state before their apprehension.

On May 23, local police got word that the pair was in Detroit, Michigan, the hometown of both subjects. Other law enforcement agencies have become involved in the case and are assisting the H-WHPD to get the suspects extradited back to Arkansas for processing.

Chief Smith praised the efforts of the five officers for solving and working the case.

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