Forensicwx
Final Roll Call 4153. STLCO 10-42 10/13 @ 1519
A Gassville man stands accused of multiple rapes while his parents are charged with attempting to bribe the victims not to report the alleged crimes, according to court files.
Carl John Burton, 41, faces five counts of rape and one charge of fourth-degree sexual assault. He allegedly sexually assaulted two young girls over the course of several years....
Byron Burton, 69, and Shirley Jean Burton, 67, both of Mountain Home, each face a charge of witness bribery for allegedly attempting to give the victims money to prevent them from filing a police report.
Court records indicate there is a recording of the parents making the bribery attempt.
Female victim No. 1 (a teenager) told a school counselor she saw Burton crawl into bed with female victim No. 2 (also a teenager) on Feb. 11. An investigation was started after the counselor reported the incident.
The Arkansas State Police Crimes Against Children Division joined the investigation. One of the victims, during a videotaped interview, told authorities the abuse had been ongoing for 12 years, beginning when she was less than six years old.
The victim told authorities Burton warned her against reporting the rapes as it would have a negative impact on her family.
On Feb. 19, the victims and a family member went to the Gassville Police Department and handed over an audio recording of a conversation, alleged to be between John Byron Burton, Shirley Burton and one of the victims.
In that conversation, John Byron Burton and Shirley Jean Burton reportedly say the following:
• I ... I just hope you rot in hell for doing this. You're trying to kill my son.
• Well, good then, I hope you (expletive deleted) die.
• We've already said that was a nasty thing. But you don't need to rub it in to him for the rest of his life.
• He can't handle prison. I mean, he's been there once before and there's just nothing but rape going on in there. So why don't you just tell him to go ahead and slit his wrist.
• He will suffer for the rest of his life in or out of prison.
• The attorney says that the only way Carl has, won't have a hatchet hanging over his head. Anytime in the future you can put him in prison. With this letter written properly you can't.
• That way you get (expletive deleted). I mean really (expletive deleted).
In a probable cause affidavit, authorities say during the conversation, Burton's parents mention several times that if the young girl will sign some letter, she will receive $20,000 and a truck.
http://www.baxterbulletin.com/story...child-rape-parents-arrested-bribery/25079145/