A Springdale man was arrested Wednesday after police say drugged a woman and raped her during a drug deal at a local motel.
Randy Morris, 44, was arrested on suspicion of rape, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. He remained Thursday in the Washington County Detention Center on $50,000 bond, according to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.
His arraignment date is set for June 2.
Officers began investigating the situation after a woman told police she had been drugged and raped at the Sleep Inn on Rieff Street in Springdale. She said she met Morris at the motel to get methamphetamine from him. While in his room, she asked to use the shower, police said.
Morris allegedly came into the bathroom, grabbed the woman and put her on the bed. He then injected her with an unknown drug and used a plastic zip tie to tie her hands, according to a preliminary report from the Washington County Prosecutor’s Office. Morris then raped her, after which she took a shower, police said.
The suspect asked the woman to get quarters from a nearby gas station for him to do his laundry. While at the gas station, the woman slipped a note to the clerk for help, and the clerk called police, the report states.
Police responded to the scene and discovered a zip tie in the bag of trash Morris was carrying. Morris denied the rape allegation and said the woman came onto him. He then claimed he was the one who was zip tied, police said.
Officers determined the broken zip tie fit around the woman’s wrist. They then searched the suspect’s motel room and discovered syringes, a bag of zip ties, several air soft guns and a black knife, according to the preliminary report.
Police also found another syringe in the laundry room garbage, along with notes containing information consistent with drug activity, they said. Officers said they also found a quarter-ounce of methamphetamine in Morris’ wallet and a bong behind the TV.
Morris was arrested by police following the investigation.
