A Lyons man accused of child molesting was taken into custody yesterday.  

Jeffrey D. Fulford, 52, Lyons, was taken into custody yesterday, Tuesday, September 24. Deputy Alan Jackson of the Greene County Sheriff’s Department was the arresting officer.

The arrest follows an investigation by GCSD Detective Sergeant Jim O’Malley who has been investigating an incident that occurred on or around July 25. On that day, a woman contacted the sheriff’s department to report that her juvenile daughter had been inappropriately touched by Fulford. GCSD Deputy Camron Frye responded and conducted an initial interview.

The next day, another interview took place at the Greene County Department of Child Services (DCS) with the detective and a case manager from DCS talking to the woman, the alleged victim and other family members. A couple of other witnesses were interviewed later. Fulford was also interviewed later.

According to the information in a probable cause affidavit prepared by Det. Sgt. O’Malley, Fulford hired several teens to do some work at his residence and after they had completed their work, they all went riding on four-wheelers.

O’Malley reported the alleged victim said she was riding with Fulford and at one time during the ride, Fulford made the ATV go really fast and they separated from the other riders. It was at this time, Fulford allegedly touched the teen inappropriately. It scared the teen and when they got back to the other riders, she got off the ATV and got on another one. She said as soon as they got home, she ran in and told her mother what had happened.

Fulford denied any wrongdoing or inappropriate contact. O’Malley reported that Fulford said when he was riding behind the teen, his hands were touching hers on the controls and handlebar and his hands were sometimes on the gas tank but never anywhere near the alleged victim’s private areas. Fulford also said he had received a text message from the alleged victim before she came to his residence, asking for work that she needed to make $100. He said he told her he couldn’t supply that much work and she would have to save her money. He said she mentioned the $100 about four different times but never around the other teens.

O’Malley reported Fulford was reluctant to participate in a polygraph examination but said he would discuss that option if it got to that point.  

On Monday, Greene County Prosecutor Jarrod Holtsclaw filed a criminal case against Fulford in Greene Circuit Court.

Later that same day, Circuit Court Judge Erik Allen ordered a warrant for Fulford’s arrest.

Fulford was arrested promptly and booked into the Greene County Jail where his bond was set at $15,000 surety with ten percent cash allowed. He was released later the same day after posting $1,500.

When Fulford appears in court for his initial hearing, he will be formally charged with child molesting, involving fondling or touching with a child under the age of 14, a Level 4 felony.