Lowell man accused of asking minors for sexual favors in exchange for marijuana pleads not guilty

LOWELL, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — A Lowell man arrested on more than two dozen charges in June has pleaded not guilty, according to court documents.

Juan Medina, 29, was arrested on June 12 on 28 charges including five counts of rape, three counts of internet stalking a child and three counts of computer child pornography.

According to a heavily redacted probable cause affidavit, Lowell police received a call on June 10 from a person reporting a sexual assault that occurred involving a minor.

Two minors told police they bought marijuana from Medina for $25 a gram. Medina reportedly asked for sexual favors after one transaction was $5 short.

A juvenile said to LPD that Medina requested explicit photos and later forced her into performing sexual acts.

Lowell man arrested on 28 charges, including five rape charges

Medina allegedly told the minors that they would all get in trouble if anyone found out what they were doing, according to the affidavit.

The minors were later interviewed, but all information from the interviews in the affidavit was redacted.

Two cell phones were seized from Medina, the affidavit said.

A Benton County judge filed an order on June 18 to keep all unredacted affidavits under seal until either the case reaches a final disposition or a further order is filed.

Benton County Prosecutor Joshua Robinson said the case is still under investigation and the affidavit contains identifying information regarding minors.

Medina is being held in the Benton County Jail on a $1 million bond. He has been ordered to have no contact with the alleged victims or other minors.

He has an omnibus hearing scheduled for August 5.

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