Charleston man gets 27 years in prison without parole after admitting he had child sexual abuse materials
Eastern Sebastian County man pleaded guilty, cannot get parole
GREENWOOD -- A Charleston man who admitted having child sexual abuse material was sentenced to the Arkansas Department of Corrections and must serve 27 years before he is eligible for parole.
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Shreveport police arrest second person in child sex abuse case
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) — Last month, Shreveport police arrested a man accused of committing sexual assault for many years.
An adult survivor reported repeated sexual assaults by Walter Evans between the ages of nine and 12.
Evans was arrested and accused of one count of first-degree rape, one count of molestation of a juvenile under 13, and one count of sexual battery of a victim under the age of 13.
Police have now made another arrest. Lori Jernigan was arrested and is accused of failure to report the commission of a felony. Investigators allege that Jernigan was made aware that an adult was sexually abusing the child, but refused to report it to law enforcement.
This investigation is ongoing. Police ask that anyone with information related to this investigation call SPD at 318-673-7300 or submit an anonymous tip to Caddo Crime Stoppers at 318-673-7373.
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Man pleads guilty in federal case tied to Beaver Dam teen abduction
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.— The man from Arkansas accused of abducting Beaver Dam teenager Sophia Franklin, has pleaded guilty to two federal charges as part of a plea agreement.
Gary Day entered guilty pleas on July 7, to enticement of a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity and production of child sexual abuse material. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years in federal prison, though a sentencing date has not yet be set.
In exchange for the guilty pleas, federal prosecutors agreed to dismiss four other charges, including transportation of a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity, travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor, and possession of child sexual abuse material. Under the plea agreement, Day will also be required to register as a sex offender.
According to the plea agreement, Day admitted using Snapchat to communicate with the girl, who was 16 at the time, before traveling to Wisconsin to pick her up and take her to Arkansas. Investigators also recovered an explicit image involving the minor during forensic examination of Day’s cellphone. The criminal complaint also detailed Snapchat messages showing the pair arranged to meet at a hotel in Beaver Dam in early 2024.
The case drew national attention after the teen disappeared from Beaver Dam in February of 2025. The Wisconsin State Patrol had issued an Amber Alert for Franklin as well. Authorities issued the Alert, believing the then 17-year-old was about three months pregnant and traveling with Day. Investigators later said the pair spent weeks traveling across several states before they were found at a truck stop in Nebraska on April 2, 2025. The teen was safely reunited with her family.
As part of the federal case, a judge has also ordered the forfeiture of several electronic devices, including cell phones and laptop computers, that investigators say were used in the crimes.
The federal case does not resolve Day’s legal troubles in Wisconsin. He still faces child abduction and child enticement charges in Dodge County. A scheduling conference in that case is set for Aug. 10.
Arkansas man charged in Oklahoma child sex sting operation
WAGONER, Okla. (KNWA/KFTA) — An Arkansas man is facing several charges in eastern Oklahoma after he was arrested as part of a child sex sting operation.
The Wagoner County Sheriff's Office said in a social media post on July 9 that Michael Schuster, of Arkansas, was arrested on June 1 for soliciting sexual conduct with a minor, lewd or indecent proposals to a child under the age of 16, and resisting an officer.
WCSO said around 11 a.m. on May 31, investigators conducted an operation targeting those looking to engage in sexual activity. During the investigation, a confidential informant used a decoy posing as a 15-year-old female online.
An adult male contacted the informant posing as a minor, engaged in sexually explicit conversations, and arranged to meet the child for sexual activity in exchange for money, according to the sheriff's office.
Authorities said the suspect was aware that the decoy was 15 years old and chose to drive from Arkansas to meet her. They agreed to meet at a gas station in Broken Arrow.
When Schuster arrived at the gas station, deputies attempted to take him into custody, but he attempted to run to his car and hide. WCSO said Schuster was caught before he could open his car door.
Schuster continued to resist arrest, and deputies took him to the ground before taking him into custody.
"Our message is simple, if you come to Wagoner County looking to exploit a child, you will be arrested and held accountable. This case demonstrates the commitment of our investigators and law enforcement partners to proactively identify and apprehend individuals who prey on children. We will continue conducting these operations to protect our youth and ensure those who target minors face the consequences of their actions," Wagoner County Sheriff Chris Elliott said in a statement.
Oklahoma court records show that Schuster was released on June 2 on a $50,000 bond. He pleaded not guilty during his arraignment on June 24 and has a preliminary hearing scheduled for Aug. 4 in Wagoner.
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