A Horatio, Ark., man charged with raping a woman he met at a Texarkana nightclub is scheduled for trial Oct. 24.
A Texarkana woman told investigators she met Bevis through an acquaintance while socializing at the Electric Cowboy Nov. 1, a search warrant affidavit states. The woman said she needed a ride home and Bevis offered to give her one. After the two left the Electric Cowboy, they stopped at Mr. D’s nightclub in Texarkana, Ark., but the business was closing.
While Bevis spoke with employees of the club, a bartender told the woman they would have to leave. The woman asked the bartender for a ride and stated that Bevis made her uneasy and concerned for her safety. The bartender could not leave but he did exchange phone numbers with the woman and promised to check on her later. The bartender told Texarkana, Ark., detectives he watched Bevis drive away with the woman in a red or maroon truck with loud exhaust.
The woman said Bevis pulled over on the side of Mandeville Road and said, “You are going to give me some.” When the woman declined, Bevis allegedly got out of his red, 1987 Toyota pickup and opened the passenger door, striking the woman.
The woman claims Bevis sexually assaulted and strangled her in his truck before continuing to assault her on the ground outside. The woman said Bevis threatened to kill her and said he would anally assault her if she continued to resist.
The woman managed to make contact with the bartender while back inside Bevis’ truck. Bevis allegedly shoved her out of the truck and drove hastily away. The bartender told detectives the woman told him she been beaten and raped and was unsure of where she was.
The bartender began driving toward the area where he thought the woman might be and caught sight of the red truck, “hauling ass” and “squalling tires.”
The bartender called 911 and followed the truck as it headed toward Ashdown, Ark. The truck was stopped in Ashdown and Bevis was arrested by authorities there for drunk driving. According to the affidavit, his blood alcohol level was .09.
A Texarkana, Ark., police detective found the injured woman in the 4700 block of Mandeville Road. She had managed to put some of her clothes back on which Bevis allegedly removed during the assault. The woman pointed out a shirt and a belt with a letter B on the buckle on the ground which she said belonged to Bevis.
When Bevis was arrested in Little River County for DWI, he was not wearing a shirt or a belt.
Bevis was convicted of first degree sexual abuse in Miller County in 2001. According to court records, Bevis touched a girl under 14 multiple times during 1998 and 1999. He completed a four-year probation.
Bevis posted bond on a $100,000 bail Nov. 5. He faces 10 to 40 years or life in prison if convicted of rape. Jury selection is set for Oct. 24 before Miller County Circuit Judge Kirk Johnson. Bevis is represented by Texarkana attorney Danny Cook and Deputy Prosecutor Connie Mitchell is prosecuting the case.
