Zalma man charged in rape case

ZALMA, Mo. -- Jaramiah Hood, 30 of Zalma was arrested late last week by Stoddard County deputies and charged with forcible rape, statutory rape, forcible sodomy and statutory sodomy in connection with a rape that allegedly occurred three years ago, the Dexter Daily Statesman reported. According to a probable-cause statement, it was reported that in November 2006 at Highway 51 in Puxico, Hood allegedly physically forced a female victim to have sex with him and, during the rape, forced her to perform other sex acts. The victim reportedly stated that Hood was aware that at the time she was 13 years old. She went on to say that he made threats against her if she told anyone. The victim also stated that when she was 15 years old, Hood tried again to sexually assault her but she was able to flee. If convicted, each of the charges could result in a maximum punishment of life in prison. Hood was arraigned Thursday before Judge Joe Satterfield. He has a preliminary hearing scheduled at 1:30 p.m. Sept. 24.