Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Local man charged in rape; juvenile girls alleged victims

A 45-year-old Prescott man has been charged with one count of rape.

According to court records, a phone call was received on the child abuse hotline at the Arkansas State Police's Crime Against Children Division, concerning two young Nevada County girls being fondled.

Records state the girls claim Terry Finigan had penetrated them, front and back, with his fingers. The incident allegedly took place at the home of the victims.

The children were taken to Baptist Hospital in Arkadelphia, where they were examined, then sent to Arkansas Children's Hospital in Little Rock for further examination.

According to records, only one of the girls showed physical signs of being sexually abused.

Both girls, though, reportedly told the investigating officer Finigan had placed his hand inside their clothing and penetrated them on more than one occasion.

Additionally, a third female member of the family, also a juvenile, told officers Finigan had engaged in acts of sexual indecency with her by rubbing her private area against her wishes.

In this case, rape is defined as engaging in sexual intercourse or deviant sexual activity with another person who is less than 14 by forcible compulsion.

This is a class Y felony, punishable by a sentence of 10-40 years or life in prison.