Machete-Wielding Man Accused of Sexual Assault, Police Say

A residential burglary investigation turned into an alleged machete attack that sent a Rogers man to jail last week. In addition to the attack, the man is accused of having an inappropriate sexual relationship with a 14-year-old female, police said. 

Juan Carlos Castaneda-Cordero, 32, was arrested in connection with felony aggravated assault after police said he chased a relative’s boyfriend with a machete while ransacking a house. Castaneda-Cordero remains in the Benton County Jail on $10,000 bond.

Police said the investigation into the machete assault revealed Castaneda-Cordero has engaged in inappropriate sexual contact with a 14 year old and has held a knife to a 13-year-old female’s throat. The 13 year old and the 14 year old are sisters, police said.

In connection with those allegations, Castaneda-Cordero also faces felony fourth-degree sexual assault and aggravated assault charges, police said.

Officers responded to Castaneda-Cordero’s home Thursday regarding a disturbance call. Officers saw damage at the house when they arrived and started investigating the incident as a residential burglary.

A family member told police during the investigation that Castaneda-Cordero chased a family member and a relative’s boyfriend around the home and outside, slashing at items with a machete. At one point, Castaneda-Cordero plunged the machete into a wooden table, according to a preliminary arrest report.

Officers noticed slash marks and damage throughout the house, then found a machete on top of the garage. Castaneda-Cordero told police he used the machete, but only to frighten his relative’s boyfriend, the report states.

Castaneda-Cordero was placed under arrest at the scene, and evidence was collected.