Rape trial begins Tuesday at Miller County courthouse

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A Fouke, Ark., man accused of sexual misconduct with a girl beginning when she was 11 is scheduled to go on trial this week in Miller County.

Larry Zane Neff Jr., 50, allegedly showed the girl pornography and engaged in illicit conduct with the girl during 2016 through 2018, according to court records. The girl allegedly wrote an adult family member a note about the alleged abuse in October 2018.

A forensic interview of the girl the following day at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Texarkana allegedly included descriptions of behavior by Neff that led to his arrest on a charge of rape and a charge of second-degree sexual assault, according to a search warrant affidavit.

Computer equipment and storage devices are listed on records showing what was removed during a search of Neff’s home Nov. 1, 2018. A laptop computer and a cell phone which Neff took away with him before the search were allegedly delivered to investigators by a family member after Neff’s arrest Nov. 2, 2018.

Neff is currently free on a $50,000 commercial bond.

Rape is punishable by 10 to 40 years or life in prison. Second-degree sexual assault is punishable by five to 20 years in prison.

The prosecution and defense began the process of jury selection Monday afternoon with Circuit Judge Carlton Jones presiding. Four men and eight women were selected to sit on Neff’s jury.

Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Connie Mitchell is representing the state. Neff is represented by Texarkana attorney Tommy Potter.

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