Arthur Dean Knapp, a 40-year-old man from central California, has been arrested for sexually assaulting a juvenile and slashing the child’s throat in a laundry room of an apartment complex. He is facing multiple charges including rape and attempted murder and is currently held at the Madera County jail. The crime took place in Chowchilla, a small city near Fresno, and Knapp was arrested on the same day the crime was reported. He was identified as the suspect by Chowchilla Police Chief Jeff Palmer during a press conference.
The attack occurred in a laundry room shared by residents of the apartment complex, and it was described as a crime of opportunity. Knapp was not a resident of the apartment, and it is unclear if he had any prior relationship with the victim. After the assault, the juvenile was able to regain consciousness and alert authorities before receiving treatment and undergoing surgery at a children’s hospital.
Investigators used witness statements and DNA evidence from a rape kit to link Knapp to the crime. If convicted, he could face life in prison without parole. Knapp has also been charged with parole violations and assault with a deadly weapon. He pleaded not guilty to the indictment at his arraignment and is scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing on August 23rd. Madera County District Attorney Sally Moreno emphasized the importance of ensuring justice is served and the community stays safe in light of the disturbing incident.
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