Mental evaluation ordered for Rogers rape suspect
Posted on Friday, March 28, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/bcdr/News/60148/
BENTONVILLE — A mental evaluation was ordered Thursday for a Rogers man accused of raping an 18-month-old child.
Jasper Alfred Lawson, 26, is charged with rape, a class Y felony, and engaging children in sexually explicit conduct, a class B felony. A class Y felony normally carries a sentencing range of 10 to 40 years or life in prison, but if convicted, Lawson would receive a sentence of at least 25 years. The law requires a minimum 25-year sentence for individuals convicted of raping children 13 and under.
Lawson’s attorney requested a mental evaluation for his client, and Circuit Judge David Clinger granted the request. The judge suspended the proceedings against Lawson pending the mental evaluation.
A mental status hearing in the case is scheduled for 8: 30 a. m. April 30.
According to court documents, Benton County Sheriff’s Office Cpl. Diane Spain received a camera’s digital memory card on Nov. 4, 2007. She found images that depicted a man, later identified as Lawson, engaging in sexual acts with a child, according to court documents.
Lawson was arrested Nov. 20 after calling Sgt. Dennis Schumacher, an investigator with the BCSO, to talk about the girl. During the interview, Lawson claimed that while he was on methamphetamine, he had taken nude photographs of the child. He also admitted to taking photographs of the girl in sexually explicit situations, court documents state.
Lawson is being held in the Benton County Jail in lieu of $ 75, 000 bond.