On Saturday, June 18th, at approximately 7:00 a.m., deputies from the Camden Coutny Sheriff’s Office responded to the 200 block of Bumper Hill Rd in Camdenton for a sexual assault investigation.

 

Upon arrival at the scene, a witness informed deputies the suspect, later identified as 24 year old James Robert Kelly of Camdenton, had fled into the nearby woods to avoid law enforcement. According to the 18 year old victim, who will not be identified, Kelly came into a bedroom she was staying in at the residence at approximately 4:00 a.m. and sexually assaulted her, threatening her not to tell anyone. Deputies began a search of the area with the assistance of K9 Deputy Nutmeg, the department bloodhound. The search took them along US Highway 54 into Camdenton and the dog was called off in the heavy weekend traffic. Deputies continued their search on foot and by patrol vehicle until Kelly was located at approximately 10:00 a.m. in the 400 block of West US Highway 54.

 

Kelly was taken into custody and transported to the Camden County Adult Detention Facility without further incident. Kelly has been charged with one count of Felony Rape in the First Degree and one count of Felony Sodomy in the First Degree. He is being held without bond and will appear before the court on July 19th.