Wilder convicted sexual assault, sexual indecency and rape in Pike County

A Pike County Circuit Court jury returned seven guilty verdicts Friday afternoon in the trial of an Amity man accused of having sexual contact with several juvenile age females. 53 year old Lavoyce Lee Wilder was originally charged in the fall of 2019 following an investigation by state authorities. Through that investigation, the victims reported they had multiple sexual encounters with Wilder over a prolonged period of time.
Wilder’s trial ended Friday afternoon with the jury finding him guilty on three counts of First Degree Sexual Assault, two counts of Rape and two additional counts of Sexual Indecency With a Child. He was given the maximum sentence possible on all seven charges. That sentence includes 30 years on each sexual assault charge, a life sentence on each rape count, and six year sentences on both sexual indecency charges, for a total of two life sentences and 102 years in prison.
Prosecuting Attorney Erin Hunter and Deputy Prosecutor Alwin Smith presented the state’s case during the trial. Prosecutor Hunter commended the victims who came forward to see that Wilder was convicted. She also thanked the jurors for their service, along with recognizing the job done by the Arkansas State Police and Pike County Sheriff’s Department throughout the investigative portion of the case.