From Press Release from Fulton County Sheriff’s Department and legal information about Act 662 from the Arkansas Legislature
The Fulton County Sheriff’s Department arrested Christopher Lee Hendricks, 41, of Gepp on July 3 following an investigation.
Fulton County Sheriff Jake Smith explained in a press release today, July 7, that an investigation began June 26 with his office and the Arkansas State Police Crimes Against Children Division regarding allegations of sexual abuse of a child. He was arrested July 3 for rape in the case.
Due to the victim being under the age of 14, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Drew Smith and Sixteenth Judicial District Circuit Judge Tim Weaver ordered the case file sealed to protect the child’s identity.
Hendricks appeared in Fulton County Circuit Court on July 7 with his attorneys, L. Gray and Mathew G. Dellinger, and waived his formal arraignment, entering a plea of not guilty to the charge. Dellinger also filed a motion for discovery and a motion to reduce Hendricks $500,000 bond.
The case is still ongoing and more charges may be filed. Hendricks is a former sex offender
Hendricks’ pre-trial hearing is set for Dec. 15, and trial date was set for Jan. 28-30, 2026
Rape is a Class Y Felony in Arkansas and punishable by life in prison or death. A new law, Act 662 of 2025 went into effect in January for crimes committed in 2025 and after. The legislation created the offense of “capital rape.” It significantly increases potential penalties for rape involving children under 13 years old. Penalties include the possibility of the death penalty or life imprisonment without parole for offenders aged eighteen or older, and life imprisonment with parole eligibility only after twenty years for those younger than eighteen.
The act also specifies that a victim’s consent is not a valid defense against prosecution for capital rape.It amends various sections of the Arkansas Code related to sentencing, juvenile justice and other legal procedures to include this new offense.
It appears based on information presented that Hendricks case could qualify as a capital rape case.
