BATESVILLE, Ark. — A Batesville suspect is facing multiple felony charges after an online investigation led authorities to allege he exchanged sexually explicit images with a minor.
According to a probable cause affidavit filed in Independence County, Raymond Lloyd Freeman Jr., 49, is charged with nine counts of pandering or possessing visual or print medium depicting sexually explicit conduct involving a child, a Class C felony.
Freeman is the U.S.P.S. Postmaster for Batesville and has held the position since March 8, 2014, according to USPS.com.
The investigation began Oct. 29, 2025, when Freeman’s ex-wife, also a mandated reporter, reported concerns to the Batesville Police Department regarding online communications between her husband and a minor, according to the affidavit. She told investigators she discovered daily conversations she believed to be inappropriate in nature and provided screenshots to police.
Court records state that on Nov. 10, 2025, the alleged victim, a 15-year-old female, was interviewed. She disclosed that she had been communicating with and sending nude images to an individual in Arkansas through the website Y99 – an online chat service in India (learn more from InternetMatters.org). She told authorities she used the browser DuckDuckGo to get around parental restrictions on her laptop.
Investigators later interviewed Freeman on Nov. 13, 2025. When they asked if he knew why they wanted to speak to him, he responded that he did. According to the affidavit, Freeman admitted he had been involved in an online relationship for approximately two months with a minor female from Michigan. He also allegedly admitted to sending nude images of himself to the minor and receiving nude images in return, stating he had made a mistake.
According to court records, he stated that he had gotten depressed, his marriage was bad, and he needed somebody to talk to.
The affidavit states Freeman claimed he had only sent maybe two naked photos to the minor, but investigators say there were approximately 32 naked images he sent. Authorities allege some of the photos he sent were taken in the Batesville Post Office, the post office bathroom, and the mail truck.
The affidavit was submitted by Investigator Brenda Bittle of the Batesville Police Department, who is also assigned to the Arkansas Crimes Against Children Task Force. As part of the investigation, law enforcement obtained a search warrant for electronic records connected to a Y99.in account, including subscriber information, message logs, and available IP data between Sept. 1 and Nov. 5, 2025. The warrant did not involve a physical search of any residence.
According to court documents, the charges allege Freeman knowingly received or possessed images depicting a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Each Class C felony count carries a possible sentence of three to 10 years in the Arkansas Department of Corrections and a fine of up to $10,000.
Freeman was arrested on January 5, 2026. Bail was set at $150,000. His next court appearance is scheduled for January 13.
All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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