GENTRY — A Gentry man was being held in the Benton County Jail on Sunday after being arrested Saturday in connection with rape.

Benton County sheriff’s deputies arrested Richard Brice Blankinship, 52, of 10298 Bredehoeft Road in Gentry after a woman called law enforcement officers.

Police said the woman walked into a room where Blankinship was witha 6-year-old girl. Police said the woman noticed something suspicious and notified authorities.

The girl was taken to the Children’s Advocacy Center of Benton County for an interview, police said.

Investigators said Blankinship admitted to touching the girl outside her underwear, but denied more serious allegations.

Blankinship was being held Sunday in the Benton County Jail on a $100,000 bond.

For The Record, Pages 4 on 07/14/2010