Trial planned in sexual abuse case

Monday in Hot Springs District Court, a trial was scheduled for Jan. 16 in a case against James Folsom, who has pleaded not guilty to second-degree sexual assault of a minor. Alternatively, he is charged with sexual assault of a minor.

An alternate charge means the judge, or jury should the case go to trial, could find him guilty of either. If that happens, the two charges would be merged. Essentially, there is one count, but two ways in which Folsom could be found guilty.

According to the charges, between June 8 and 17 Folsom allegedly molested a juvenile female. Should he be found guilty, he could face up to 20 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.

Folsom’s trial is expected to take four days. Though scheduled for Jan. 16, it is on a stack schedule and could begin on a different date.

Also in District Court, Tiphanie Reynolds pleaded not guilty to felony child endangerment — meth, and misdemeanors of reckless endangerment and possession of meth. The charges stem from an Oct. 17 incident, following a request for law enforcement to assist with a Probation and Parole search of the home where Reynolds and her child were staying. Items found at the home allegedly tested positive for meth.

If found guilty of the charges, Reynolds faces up to 7 years in prison and a $7,000 fine. Her bond was modified to $10,000 cash or acceptable bail bond Monday, and no specific date was set for trial.

Jared Dumas pleaded not guilty to felony strangulation of a household member and misdemeanor second-offense domestic battery. The charges stem from an Oct. 25 incident, during which Dumas allegedly strangled a female, slammed her against the wall and threw her to the floor.

If found guilty, Dumas could face up to six years in prison and $11,000 in fines. His bond was modified to $50,000 cash or acceptable bail bond, and no date is set for his trial.