Man Arrested for Beating, Raping Deaf Elderly Woman

WIDENER, Ark. - A suspect in the brutal beating and rape of a 75-year-old Arkansas woman has been captured. Investigators say it was a man who had close ties to the victim's neighbor. Now he's facing a laundry list of charges.

James William Howard was arrested Wednesday evening and charged with Aggravated Robbery, Home Invasion, Rape and Attempted Murder. Now police want to make sure he has time to think about what he's done behind bars.

"It was just a vicious act. People like this have no conscience," St. Francis County Sheriff Bobby May said.

May said this isn't Howard's first run in with the law.

"He's been in the penitentiary before. He's been out about 5 months now and he decided to go back on his crime spree. Hopefully, we'll put him back in for a long time."

Several items stolen from the victim were found next door at Howard's girlfriend's house. The stolen goods, along with spare change, lead to Howard's arrest.

"Some of the things he carried were change. He had a lot of change and he had dropped some of the change as he was taking items to the house. So, we tracked the change to the house," said May.

Harry Brown has lived down the road from the victim for more than 15 years. He said he can't imagine why anyone would harm his neighbor but he's glad her alleged attacker is behind bars.

"Anytime there's a rape of anyone, especially this old lady, it was uncalled for and I just really hope that justice will get him and take care of him and he'll never see light again," said Brown.

The victim is recovering at the MED, and according to her sister, is steadily improving. She is reported as being to see and recognize family members today.

As for James Howard, his bond is expected to be set Friday.