Benton man charged with sexual assault, growing pot

A Benton man is due in court next month after being charged with sexual assault and production of cannabis.
Lester R. Carter, 49, of 10009 Forest Baptist Church Rd. is due in Franklin County Circuit Court on the charges that resulted from his June 15 arrest.
Franklin County Sheriff Don Jones says deputies initiated an investigation into an alleged sexual assault around 12:30 p.m. that day and subsequently took Carter into custody.
He is charged with unlawful production of five to 20 cannabis plants, a class 4 felony, and aggravated criminal sexual assault of a person who is intellectually disabled.
The pertinent state statute defines that alleged crime as "an act of sexual penetration with a victim who is a person with a severe or profound intellectual disability."
Carter was taken to the Franklin County Jail. He is due in court July 5.