Marion County: Sex offender suspected in rape of child is arrested

A known sex offender suspected of being involved in the rape of a 4-year-old girl has been arrested, Marion County officials said.

Joshua Luke Mitchell, 34, was spotted behind the Riverside Catfish House on Highway 41, said Sheriff Ronnie “Bo” Burnett said.

When officers arrived on the scene around 6:30 p.m. CDT, Mitchell ran and had to be physically restrained to be arrested, the sheriff said.

“He didn’t give up easy,” he said.

Mitchell was taken to Marion County Jail, where he will be charged with the rape of a child, Burnett said. It’s unclear whether more charges will be filed, he said.

Mitchell is registered on sex offender lists in Alabama, North Carolina and Texas.

For complete details, see tomorrow’s Times Free Press.