Bismarck Man Arrested for Rape, Kidnapping, and Other Felony Charges

On Saturday, July 25, 2026, deputies with the Hot Spring County Sheriff's Office responded to a 911 call in the Bismarck area in reference to a reported sexual assault and kidnapping involving a juvenile victim and an adult victim.

The investigation revealed that during the late evening hours of July 24, 2026, and the early morning hours of July 25, 2026, the suspect, identified as Joshua Keith Ray, 35, of Bismarck, held two victims against their will at gunpoint inside a residence in the Bismarck area, threatened to kill them, and sexually assaulted them. The victims were able to escape the residence and contact 911. Both victims received medical care, and the juvenile victim was transported to Arkansas Children's Hospital in Little Rock. The Arkansas State Police Crimes Against Children Division is assisting in the investigation.

Investigators with the Hot Spring County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigation Division obtained a probable cause affidavit for Ray's arrest as well as a search warrant for the residence. On July 25, 2026, Ray was taken into custody without incident, and the search warrant was executed at the residence, where investigators recovered physical evidence.

Joshua Keith Ray was transported to the Hot Spring County Detention Center, where he is being held on the following charges:

Rape, Class Y Felony
Two counts of Kidnapping, Class Y Felony
Sexual Assault in the Second Degree, Class B Felony
Possession of Firearms by Certain Persons, Class B Felony
Two counts of Terroristic Threatening in the First Degree, Class D Felony
Two counts of Aggravated Assault of a Family or Household Member, Class D Felony
Two counts of Interference with Emergency Communication in the First Degree, Class A Misdemeanor
Ray was on active parole at the time of these offenses, and habitual offender sentencing enhancements are being sought.

Due to the nature of these offenses and the involvement of a juvenile victim, no further details regarding the victims will be released.

All persons charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The Hot Spring County Sheriff's Office would like to thank the Clark County Sheriff's Office and Arkadelphia Police Department for their assistance in resolving this incident.

Sheriff Richard Tolleson

Hot Spring County Sheriff's Office