Local man facing rape charge in circuit court

An 18-year-old Eureka Springs man is due to appear in Carroll County Circuit Court in Berryville on Monday, Nov. 13, on charges of rape and false imprisonment.

Charles Michael Manus was booked into the Carroll County Detention Center on Oct. 25, according to detention center records. He was released from the detention center on Oct. 28, after appearing before Carroll County District Judge Dale Ramsey. Ramsey found sufficient probable cause to charge Manus and set his bond at $15,000. Ramsey also ordered Manus to have no contact with the alleged victim.

The charges stem from an alleged incident that occurred after a school function in April, according to an Oct. 18 affidavit written by Eureka Springs police officer Hector Ramos.

The alleged victim first spoke with police on Aug. 4, according to the affidavit, and also provided a written statement alleging that Manus sexually assaulted her.

Ramos interviewed the alleged victim later on Aug. 4, and she told him that the incident occurred in Manus’ car after a school soccer game, according to the affidavit. The alleged victim said that Manus locked the door as she was trying to get out of the car and then pulled her hair as she tried again to open the door.

The alleged victim said Manus then sexually assaulted her, the affidavit says, before she was able to open the door and get out of the car.

Ramos writes in the affidavit that he made contact with Manus’ mother on Aug. 9 about scheduling a time for an interview, then spoke with Manus by phone on Sept. 15. According to the affidavit, Manus said he was still waiting to speak with his lawyer. As of Oct. 17, the affidavit says, Ramos had not heard from Manus.

Manus was arrested Oct. 25 in the lobby of the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office, according to the detention center intake log. Attorney Chris Flanagin represented Manus at his first judicial appearance.