A Spring City man charged with raping a 13-year-old girl was arraigned Tuesday in the Rhea County Jail after threats against his life kept him out of an open court room.

General Sessions Judge Jimmy McKenzie set William Ervin Clark's bond at $50,000 and said he held court in the jail because he felt Clark's life was in danger.

"There have been allegations of physical violence towards Mr. Clark, and to avoid access by anyone I came [to the jail] for his arraignment," McKenzie said.

Clark, 25, of Valley View Apartments in Spring City, was charged with statutory rape and rape.

"They want to know if he's made bond because they say they are going to kill him," Correctional Officer Charles Qualls said of several different people calling the Rhea County Jail. "A neighbor of his called the other day and said if he came back up there he would be killed."

Saturday about 5 p.m. Spring City Investigator Rusty Rogers said the mother of a friend of the 13-year-old's called police.
"The victim was at a friend's house when they went to Willie's [Clark's] to use a phone," Rogers said.

The girl told police Clark led her into a bedroom and started to pull her clothes off. She told him 'no' several times, but then he shoved her onto the bed, Rogers said.

Both the 13-year-old and Clark were interviewed at the Rhea Medical Center Emergency Room.

"He did admit to having sex with her, but he said she told him she was 18 years old," Rogers said. "She said it was not consentual and, he said it was."

Clark and the victim were transported to Rhea Medical Center where samples for evidence collection kit were collected, Rogers said.

While Clark was in the patrol car at the hospital, the victim's grandfather approached the car and began yelling at Clark.

"[The victim's grandfather] came up to the car, pointed at [Clark] and said, 'I'm going to kill you,'" Rhea County Sheriff's Sgt. Matt Rose said. "We told him to get away from the car and [Spring City Officer Jason Yuhas] tried to get him away. It was for the safety of [Clark] that we arrested [the victim's grandfather]."

Rose arrested the victim's grandfather, who was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. He was released from the Rhea County Jail Saturday on a signature bond, according to Correctional Officer Fayrene Qualls.

Rogers, along with Spring City officers Michael Caraway, Yuhas and Sheriff's Sgt. Rose assisted in the investigation.

Sarah B. Hodge can be reached at shodge@xtn.net.