Prosecutors in Miller County recently filed formal harges of rape against two brothers, 20 and 21, accused of sexual misconduct with a younger male.
Joseph Baker, 21, and Joshua Baker, 20, are each facing two counts of rape. Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Connie Mitchell signed off on the charges Aug. 13, court records show. The men allegedly engaged in sexual misconduct with a younger male relative beginning when the brothers were teens, according to a probable cause affidavit.
The alleged victim is now 17.
The alleged victim made an outcry of abuse to his mother and the case was reported earlier this summer to the Miller County Sheriff’s Office.
The alleged victim reported that the Baker brothers threatened to “do him harm and beat him up” if he told of their misconduct, according to the affidavit.
Given the ages provided by the alleged victim, the brothers would have been teens when the abuse began and might considered adults when the abuse stopped. The brothers could have been charged as adults while in their teen years because of the nature of the alleged crimes.
Joseph Baker and Joshua Baker were arrested July 30 and released from custody Aug. 1 on bonds of $30,000, court records state. They are ordered to have no contact with the alleged victim.
Both cases have been assigned to Circuit Judge Carlton Jones. Their cases are set for arraignment in September.
Rape is punishable by 10 to 40 years or life in prison.