Man, 19, wanted for sexual assaults
By Nick Hiltunen
Published in News on February 19, 2008 2:01 PM
A Wayne County 19-year-old accused of preying on pre- and early-teen girls is wanted by the Sheriff's Office, authorities said.
Jimmy Ray McArthur, 19, faces two felony-level counts of indecent liberties with a minor, Capt. Tom Effler said.
At the beginning of February, parents of two young female victims approached the Sheriff's Office to report McArthur's alleged misdeeds, Effler said.
The girls were about five to six years younger than the 19-year-old, authorities said.
"He's actually a predator," Effler said. "He gets to know young girls ... through groups that they're involved in. He gets in a situation where he takes indecent liberties with them."
Investigation by Detective Lt. Shawn Harris revealed that McArthur lies about his age to gain the girls' trust, the Sheriff's Office captain said.
"He ... usually tells people he's younger than he is," Effler said.
Effler declined to name what groups McArthur had infiltrated to protect the privacy of McArthur's alleged victims.
Effler asked that anyone with information about McArthur's whereabouts call Harris at 731-1480 or Crimestoppers at 735-2255.
Under state law a person is guilty of indecent liberties with a child if he or she targets a victim under age 16 for the purpose of arousing or gratifying sexual desire.
The offender must be at least five years older than the victim to be guilty of indecent liberties, according to state law.
Indecent liberties with a child is a Class F felony punishable by a minimum of 13 months in jail for most cases, according to state law.