Sheriff: Lake Arthur man sexually assaulted, battered woman

Published 7:23 pm Tuesday, May 23, 2023

LAKE ARTHUR — A woman was allegedly beaten, sexually assaulted, strangled and held at knife point before escaping from her assailant early Monday in Jeff Davis Parish

Maxwell Kirk Charles, 25, of Lake Arthur was arrested by the Jeff Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office on charges of battery of a dating partner, aggravated battery, second-degree rape, aggravated criminal damage to property and aggravated battery stemming from the incident.

The victim was able to escape after her assailant fell asleep and contacted authorities, according to Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Chris Ivey.

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During the escape, the suspect tried to run over the victim and two others who came to her aid, he said. The suspect also ran into the back of the complaint’s vehicle as they were escaping.