GREENE COUNTY, Ark. — A 24-year-old man accused of having sex with a teenage victim under 16 and recording it was booked into the Greene County jail at 9:40 a.m. Sept. 22, according to jail records.
The affidavit identifies the man as Derek M. Parks and alleges one count of first-degree computer exploitation of a child, a Class Y felony, and one count of fourth-degree sexual assault, a Class D felony. Both allegations are listed as occurring on or about June 5.
A detective wrote that officers began investigating Sept. 14 after a parent reported that Parks had repeatedly contacted the teen, according to the affidavit. The parent told investigators Parks had previously stayed in the household after claiming he was 17 and had nowhere else to stay.
An investigator with the Arkansas State Police Crimes Against Children Division interviewed the teen Sept. 15. The victim reported that Parks recorded a sexual encounter during the summer, the affidavit says. Investigators searched the teen’s phone and found a video; the detective wrote that tattoos visible on the man in the recording were consistent with Parks’ tattoos.
Investigators also found messages between Parks and the teen, according to the affidavit. The parent provided messages in which Parks claimed to be 18. The detective said Parks’ public social media profile showed the two together and listed them as being in a relationship.
The next day, the parent reported that Parks was moving. The detective wrote that Parks had removed the photos and relationship information from his profile and changed his listed location to Texarkana. The affidavit does not independently establish where he was at that time.
A judge found reasonable cause to issue an arrest warrant based on the affidavit, which was signed Sept. 16. The affidavit deferred a release decision until after Parks’ arrest.
Parks was arrested on Sept. 22, according to jail records. Bond was set at $500,000.
All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Note: Certain details omitted to protect the alleged victim
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