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Jury selection is underway at the Miller County courthouse in the trial of a 22-year-old Texarkana man accused of raping a former teacher.
Vasquez Hayes is accused of forcing his way into the woman’s Texarkana, Ark., house around 1 a.m. Nov. 22, 2015, when she opened the door to let out her dog. Dark glasses, a tightly drawn hoodie and gloves kept the alleged victim from realizing she had once known her alleged attacker until his booking photo was published in area media reports, according to a probable cause affidavit.
Hayes is accused of sexually assaulting the woman before ordering her to ride in her car as he drove to an ATM where he made her withdraw $500. The woman was released in a residential neighborhood after the alleged rape and robbery.
Once chosen, the jury is expected to hear opening arguments and testimony Monday. Hayes is charged with two counts of rape, two counts of theft of property, aggravated residential burglary, kidnapping and aggravated robbery. If found guilty, Hayes faces the possibility of multiple life sentences.
