Texarkana man pleads not guilty to sexual misconduct with teen boy

TEXARKANA, Texas --A Texarkana man accused of sexual misconduct with a 14-year-old boy pleaded not guilty Monday to sexual assault of a child at a hearing in Bowie County.

Justin Daniel Bookout, 41, appeared Monday morning for arraignment before 5th District Judge Bill Miller. Texarkana lawyer Josh Potter entered a plea of not guilty on Bookout's behalf.

Bookout was arrested by Texarkana Texas Police Department officers in September on the charge. He is currently free on a $50,000 bond.

Police received the case Sept. 1 as a referral from an investigator with the Arkansas State Police, according to a probable cause affidavit.

The boy was allegedly picked up by Bookout in his work vehicle four times in the spring of 2020 after the boy sneaked out of his family's home in Texarkana.

Bookout allegedly drove the boy to a location on Elizabeth Street in Texarkana, Texas. The two allegedly watched "Outer Banks" on Netflix and engaged in a sexual act on at least one occasion. Bookout allegedly drove the boy home at about 2:30 a.m. after the alleged assault.

Bookout faces two to 20 years in prison if found guilty of sexual assault of a child. A conviction for the offense would include a requirement to register as a sex offender.

Bookout is scheduled to return to court in June for a pretrial hearing.

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