ST. GEORGE — A Hurricane man with an extensive criminal history is back in jail facing a first-degree felony rape charge after a woman called 911 reporting a sexual assault.
On Friday, 43-year-old William Earl Mecham was arrested shortly after 6 a.m. at his home in Hurricane and was booked into jail facing first-degree felony rape following an investigation into a report of a sexual assault that allegedly took place at his home in a Hurricane trailer park the previous evening.
The incident was reported on Thursday shortly after 11:30 p.m. when officers were dispatched to one of the mobile homes located in the 1400 block of West State Street just east of the Tractor Supply store in Hurricane. Washington County Sheriff’s detectives also were called in to investigate, according to the charging documents filed in 5th District Court.
While speaking to the reporting party, investigators learned that earlier that evening, the caller, who recently had moved to the trailer park, was out walking her dog when she was approached by Mecham, whom she had never met , and the two began to discuss the recent loss of family members, the report states.
Mecham reportedly invited her to his trailer to have a drink, but as soon as she entered the home, Mecham became violent and began to sexually assault her, the caller told authorities, adding that she was eventually able to leave the mobile home to call police.
Authorities say a medical examination conducted at the hospital revealed signs of a sexual assault, and the injuries were consistent with the caller’s statements.
Early that morning, officers went to Mecham’s trailer and took him into custody. While speaking to police, Mecham provided a different account of the events. He reportedly said the woman had fallen in the street, and while helping her to her feet, he said he gave her a hug and invited her to his home.
Once inside, he said he was making drinks and the two were talking, which is when the woman said she was a sex addict and “never says no to men,” according to the report. Mecham ultimately denied any sexual activity.
Mecham was transported to Purgatory Correctional Facility and booked into jail shortly after 6 a.m. He faces one first-degree felony count of rape.
This was not the first arrest for Meacham, who has an extensive criminal history that includes a dozen cases, five of which resulted in felony convictions, including four stalking cases. He also has a history of multiple DUI arrests and convictions and domestic-related crimes.
Following the arrest Friday, the suspect remains in custody without bail.
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