Man pleads not guilty to statutory rape involving 14-year-old girl

A 26-year-old man accused of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl on Feb. 15 appeared in Columbus Recorder’s Court early this morning.

Billy Kentrell Eastman, the accused, pleaded not guilty to the child molestation and statutory rape. He was ordered held in the Muscogee County Jail under bonds totaling $50,000.

Judge Michael Joyner ordered the case bound over to Superior Court.

Authorities said Eastman visited a residence less than a mile away from McCartha Drive intoxicated. The residents wouldn’t allow him to leave, because they were concerned about his safety.

The victim told officials she was sleeping in a bedroom at the residence when Eastman came inside her room. She woke up to him sexually assaulted her, testified Detective Amanda Hogan with the Columbus Police Department’s Special Victims Unit.

“She did very well during the forensic interview and gave great details,” Hogan told the court.

Police said they spoke with Eastman at least three times, and he offered to meet with detectives for questioning approximately two weeks ago.

When he didn’t show up, officials issued a warrant for his arrest. He was taken into custody on Saturday.

This story was originally published June 21, 2016 at 12:19 PM with the headline "Man pleads not guilty to statutory rape involving 14-year-old girl."