A man convicted of a 2017 murder in 2019 now faces additional charges after he was allowed a furlough during which he sexually assaulted a juvenile female multiple time.
According to a report from the Cherokee Village Police Department filed March 25, on Feb. 22, of this year, Investigator John Hutchins received an assignment call regarding a juvenile female victim in his jurisdiction.
The suspect, 33-year-old Freddie Howard Johnston plead guilty to several charges in 2019, including the 2017 murder of 28-year-old Jeremy Watkins.
In December of 2021, Johnston was listed as a 309 (trustee) inmate at the Randolph County Jail where he had been transferred to from the Ouchita River Prison and was given a three-day furlough.
After being assigned the case, Hutchins conducted his investigation and spoke with the victim who stated Johnston had touched her inappropriately multiple times and attempted to remove her clothing. When met with resistance, Johnston became angry told the victim “he would be her first” and “just wait…”.
Hutchins contacted the Randolph County Jail and requested Johnston be questioned regarding the assault as he was still at the facility at the time, however; that same day, once being made aware of the situation, Johnston was removed from the 309 program and transferred back to the Arkansas Department of Corrections immediately.
After speaking with the victim further and awaiting approval from the Arkansas Department of Corrections, Hutchins was able to continue his instigation March 17.
Hutchins interviewed Johnston via Zoom regarding the instances.
When asked directly about one aspect of the sexual assault, Johnston quickly brought the interview to an end stating he wanted an attorney.
An affidavit for charges of one count of attempted rape, a class A felony and two counts of sexual assault in the second degree, a class B felony have been submitted.
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