A man from Viola has been arrested on Rape and Kidnapping charges. According to reports 57 year old James Henry Howell was arrested after a woman contacted the Fulton County Sheriff’s Department on August 29, saying that she had hired Howell to work on her trailer and that he was verbally and physically abusive to her that afternoon.The woman told them that Howell asked her to give him a ride to an undisclosed location and that he hit her with a flashlight. She said she let Howell take her vehicle and two drove across several rural roads at a high rate of speed. He allegedly raped her along a rural road. They then drove for several hours until the vehicle ran out of gas. The woman later escaped from Howell and was taken to the Sheriff’s office by a passing motorist. He could face life in prison on the rape and kidnapping charges.
The Fulton County Sheriff’s Office is reporting several other arrest.
32 year old Robert Stigall of Salem ar is charged with possession of meth, felon in possession of a firearm, use or possession with purpose to use drug paraphernalia, for purpose to use meth.
43 year old Joey Griggs of Salem Ar is charged with possession of meth and use or possession with the purpose to use drug paraphernalia.
51 year old Herbert Dean Howell, also known as Chuck Howell of Viola is charged with felony theft of property.