Police: Woman Assaulted Answering Escort Ad in Craigslist

CONWAY, AR – A man posing as the owner of an escort service on Craigslist was arrested last Friday for allegedly assaulting a woman who answered ad to be an employee.

Conway Police say Loyton Francis, 31 of Malvern, picked up a 20-year-old Conway woman on February 15th. The victim tells police that Francis called himself Jake Lancaster and she thought they were going out for dinner and an interview. Instead, according to police, Francis took her to a field where he pulled out a knife and gun and demanded she undress.

The victim was able to get out of the car to call a friend to pick her up. She was not physically injured in the exchange.

Detectives were able to trace the Craigslist ad back to Francis and got a warrant for his arrest. Francis turned himself in to police and is now in federal custody because his arrest violated a federal pretrial release.

Police say it is likely that other women have been victimized by Francis. Anyone who suspects they are a victim, or has information about this case, is asked to call the Conway Police Department at 501-450-6120, or the US Marshal’s Office in Little Rock.