FAYETTEVILLE (KFSM) – Fayetteville police arrested a homeless man on March 21 on suspicion of sexually assaulting an 11-year-old girl, authorities say.
James Bradley was booked into the Washington County Detention Center at 3:10 p.m. and faces charges of parole violation and second-degree sexual assault, according to jail records.
On March 6, police were called to Kamp Laundry at 549 W. 15th St. in reference to a sexual assault report. Once there, officers spoke with an 11-year-old girl who said she was sitting outside when a man walked up to her and started a conversation, according to an arrest report.
Police said the girl became uncomfortable and got up to go inside. That’s when the man “touched [her] bottom inappropriately,” the report states.
The victim’s friend was present and saw the inappropriate touching, police said.
She told an adult who later called police, and Bradley was identified before being taken into custody on a parole violation warrant on March 21, according to authorities.
The report states that during an interview, Bradley told investigators he’d had 15 beers on the day of the inappropriate touching, and admitted to being an alcoholic.
He said he walked into the laundromat, got something to eat and drink, then walked out of the business with soap in one hand and a water bottle in the other hand.
Police asked him if he touched any girls at the laundromat, and he said he might have accidentally touched them with the water bottle, the report states. Bradley “was adamant that if he did touch them it was an accident,” police said.
The suspect’s next hearing is scheduled for March 27 at 7:45 a.m. No bond has been set for the suspect, police said.
