BENTONVILLE — A Gentry man pleaded not guilty Monday to charges accusing him of raping and sexually assaulting a 9-year-old girl.
Miguel Maldonado-Hernandez, 52, is charged with rape, a class Y felony; and sexual assault in the second degree, a class B felony. He entered the plea during an arraignment before Circuit Judge Robin Green.
Maldonado-Hernandez was arrested Aug. 15.
The alleged victim was interviewed at the Children'sAdvocacy Center of Benton County, where she described the abuse she allegedly endured from Maldonado-Hernandez.
The girl claimed Maldonado-Hernandez threatened to beat her or use a knife on her if she ever told anyone about the abuse, according to court documents.
Maldonado-Hernandez denied the allegations when questioned by police.
His jury trial is scheduled for Dec. 8. Pretrial hearings in the case are scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Nov. 16 and Dec. 8.
He is being held in the Benton County Jail in lieu of $75,000 bond.
News, Pages 10 on 09/23/2009