Brookland, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – Feb. 26, 2025 – A Brookland man has been accused of raping a victim under the age of 14 multiple times.

On Feb. 23, Brookland Police Officer Brittaney Lane was assisting the Bono Police Department in an attempt to locate a runaway juvenile. Law enforcement had information that the victim might be with a man later identified as 19-year-old Nicholas Andrews.

When Lane attempted to contact Andrews at his home, she instead was met by Andrews’ grandmother, who told officers that Andrews and the victim were at a birthday party. The juvenile was later found at a restaurant in Brookland and taken into custody by Brookland police.

Lane returned to Andrews’ home and spoke with both Andrews and his grandmother. She told Andrews he needed to inform his grandmother about what he’d been doing with the victim. According to the probable cause affidavit, Lane thought Andrews would tell his grandmother about him sneaking the victim into the home.

At that time, Andrews “freely stated” he’d had sex with the victim, who is under 14 years of age, a few times, the affidavit said.

Lane then went to the victim’s home in Bono and obtained permission to interview them. During the interview, the victim told Lane that Andrews had called them and said he would get in trouble for statutory rape if they said anything. The affidavit said Andrews had sex with the victim a few times and he’d make sexually explicit jokes to them.

A short time later, officers located Andrews walking away from his residence, and he was taken into custody and transported to the Craighead County Detention Center.

On Feb. 24, Detective Dustin Norwood with the Brookland Police Department attempted to interview Andrews about the incident. He refused to speak with Norwood and requested a lawyer, according to the affidavit.

Andrews is charged with two counts of rape of a person less than 14 years of age. Both are Class Y felonies and carry 10-40 years or life in prison. He’s also charged with one count of tampering with a witness due to his contacting the victim, according to the affidavit.

During Wednesday’s hearing presided over by Judge Tommy Fowler, Fowler told Andrews he could set a bond, however, he would have to waive his right to have an attorney present, as there was no public defender present in the courtroom.

If the defendant chooses to have the public defender present, the hearing is concluded, and no bond is set until the public defender can get them before a circuit judge. Andrews chose to have a public defender present, so he will be held in the Craighead County Detention Center without bond until he can go before a circuit judge.

Andrews’s next court date is set for April 24.

Editor’s Note: Due to the graphic nature of the case and to protect the alleged victim, JRN has chosen not to release certain case details, such as the victim’s age and gender.

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic/sexual violence, call 800-656-HOPE (4673) to reach the National Sexual Assault Hotline.