Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Gurdon man charged with 100 counts of rape

As disturbing as it may be, an estimated 100,000 and 300,000 children are sexually exploited through prostitution and pornography each year in the United States.

Child abuse and sexual child abuse happens more often than you might think. It is disturbing to think someone could do such an act to a child. It is especially disturbing when you realize it happens right here in your town.

In recent months, one man has been arrested for writing lewd and obscene letters to a 12-year-old girl.

Shortly after the first Gurdon man was arrested for harassing a 12-year-old child, Corey Marsh was arrested in August, after he apparently forced sexual contact on another 12-year-old girl.

Most recently however, a Gurdon man has been charged with 100 counts of rape and two counts of incest after he allegedly had sexual intercourse with his daughter, stepdaughter and the child of his live-in companion.

Eddie Lee Harper, 40, of 520 Smith St. in Gurdon, was arrested Aug. 19 after statements were given to investigator Tim Patterson at the Clark County Sheriff's Office.

Harper's stepdaughter told her mother of the alleged abuse the day before his arrest.

Harper had apparently been sexually abusing the girl since 1994 when she was just five-years-old.

The relationship grew in 1998 when Harper started having sex with the girl twice a week.

During her statement she told Patterson, that she had last had sex with Harper the week of August 12.

The affidavit from the victim further stated, "her stepfather would tell her to come into his bedroom in the afternoon while her mother was at work and make her watch pornographic videos with him and then have sex with her."

"She stated that if there were other people at her house, her stepfather would make an excuse to go to the grandmother's house and take her with him to have sex with her," according to documents filed with the Clark County Circuit clerk. Harper allegedly told the child he did not want her to get pregnant and when she started having her period, she would have to go on birth control pills.

Harper's daughter, now 17, told Patterson that her father first started abusing her in 1989.

The third victim, now 18, and the daughter of Harper's live-in companion, stated Harper raped her in 1992 while living with her mother.

Rape is a class Y felony, punishable by a term of 10 to 40 years or life in the Arkansas

Department of Correction. Incest is a class A felony, punishable by a term of six to 30 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $15,000.

There are laws protecting children from such offenders, however it is up to the law enforcement to make sure they work.

Pictures of such offenders are to be placed in public places like schools, gymnasiums and other facilities were children could see the posters and know if they are approached by an offender to run and tell. However, this has not been followed up by the CCSO. When questioned about it, Sheriff Troy Tucker said it would do no good.