A Yellville man was sentenced on Tuesday to 30 years in prison without parole for convincing a minor to live with him in a cave, according to a news release from the United States Attorney’s Office Western District of Arkansas.
Isaac James Melder, aged 42 and a resident of Yellville, received a sentence of 360 months in prison without the possibility of parole on February 13, 2024.
This ruling followed his conviction for using online communication to entice a minor into engaging in unlawful sexual activities.
The sentencing hearing was overseen by The Honorable Judge Timothy L. Brooks at the US District Court in Fayetteville.
According to official court records, in May of 2022, a fourteen-year-old female was reported missing after failing to board the afternoon school bus.
An extensive search, involving multiple law enforcement agencies, ensued.
Internet Chats on Xbox Expose Melder’s Cave Plan
During the investigation, it was revealed that Melder and the victim had communicated via the internet using an Xbox.
These messages disclosed their plans to abscond and reside in a cave within the Marion County wilderness.
Further investigation uncovered that Melder had groomed both the victim and her family by providing groceries, money, alcohol, and marijuana, and had referred to the victim as his spouse.
On June 22, 2022, law enforcement authorities were directed to the cave’s location by an informant, where Isaac Melder and the minor victim had resided since their disappearance in May. Melder was promptly placed under state custody upon discovery.
In April of 2023, Melder was indicted by a Grand Jury in the Western District, and he entered a plea of guilty in July 2023.
The announcement was made by the US Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas.