Sikeston man charged with attempted rape, assault

BENTON, Mo. -- A rural Sikeston, Missouri, man is in jail on numerous charges, including attempted rape.

Charles Wallace Bell, 33, is charged with first-degree attempted rape, first-degree assault, unlawful possession of a firearm and unlawful use of drug paraphernalia.

Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter said in a news release that his office received a 911 call late Thursday evening reporting an attempted sexual assault had occurred on County Highway 472 outside Sikeston.

"Deputies made contact with the victim, who reported Bell physically assaulted her while attempting to sexually assault her," Walter said in the release. "Deputies were told that Bell was in possession of a firearm, and was currently at his residence."

Deputies located Bell a short time later and placed him under arrest.

Detectives received a warrant to search Bell's residence, where they recovered numerous items that will be checked for DNA, along with a shotgun, ammunition and assorted drug paraphernalia, the sheriff said

The victim was admitted to a local hospital for treatment, Walter said.

Bell was in custody at the Scott County Jail. Bond is set at $50,000.

Pertinent address:

Sikeston, Mo.