A child sexual abuse investigation involving a married couple from Sage, Arkansas, has expanded into 2 counties, with Arkansas State Police announcing dozens of additional felony charges against a 43-year-old man and a new felony charge against his wife.
According to an Arkansas State Police announcement released Friday, October 16, 2026, Brandon Vincent Lara, 43, faces 52 additional felony counts in Izard and Marion counties following a separate investigation by the agency’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
His wife, Tara Lara, 43, also of Sage, faces 1 felony charge in Marion County.
Investigators say the case remains active, with additional charges expected against both individuals.
SAGE MAN HELD IN IZARD COUNTY JAIL SINCE JUNE 11
Brandon Lara has remained in the Izard County jail since June 11, 2026, following an earlier investigation conducted by the Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division.
That investigation resulted in the following charges:
4 counts of 2nd-degree sexual assault.
1 count of sexual indecency with a child.
1 count of sexually grooming a child.
His original bond was set at $250,000.
Authorities announced that a separate investigation subsequently uncovered additional evidence, leading to new charges filed on October 12, 2026.
40 ADDITIONAL FELONY COUNTS FILED IN IZARD COUNTY
According to Arkansas State Police, Brandon Lara now faces 40 additional felony counts in Izard County involving the alleged possession or pandering of visual or printed material depicting sexually explicit conduct involving a child.
Following those additional charges, his total Izard County bond was increased to $450,000.
The new charges stem from an investigation conducted by special agents assigned to the Arkansas State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
12 MORE FELONY COUNTS FILED IN MARION COUNTY
Investigators also filed 12 additional felony charges against Brandon Lara in Marion County.
Those charges include:
11 counts of engaging children in sexually explicit conduct for use in visual or printed material.
1 count of transportation of minors for prohibited sexual conduct.
His Marion County bond was set at $200,000.
Combined, the newly announced Izard and Marion County charges bring the number of additional felony counts against Brandon Lara to 52.
WIFE ALSO FACES FELONY CHARGE
Arkansas State Police confirmed that Tara Lara, 43, of Sage, has also been charged in connection with the investigation.
She faces 1 felony count of transportation of minors for prohibited sexual conduct in Marion County.
Her bond was set at $25,000.
The agency said investigators anticipate filing additional charges against both Brandon and Tara Lara as the investigation continues.
GOOGLE CYBERTIP HELPED LAUNCH INVESTIGATION
According to Arkansas State Police, the Internet Crimes Against Children investigation began after the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children received a CyberTip from Google.
The tip involved suspected child sexual abuse material reportedly linked to an online account belonging to Brandon Lara.
Special agents subsequently obtained and executed search warrants involving the accounts.
Investigators reported discovering additional evidence, including indications that photographs of minors had been digitally altered to create sexually explicit images.
Authorities have not released additional details about the children involved.
INVESTIGATION CONTINUES IN 2 ARKANSAS COUNTIES
Arkansas State Police say the investigation remains active in both Izard and Marion counties.
Investigators expect additional charges to be filed against Brandon and Tara Lara, although no timetable has been announced.
The agency said no further information was available for release as of October 16, 2026.
The investigation involves the Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division and the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
PRESUMPTION OF INNOCENCE
All charges described in this report are allegations.
Brandon Vincent Lara and Tara Lara are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
The filing of criminal charges does not constitute a conviction.
ArkansasRadio.com will continue following developments in this investigation as additional official information becomes available.
SOURCE:
Arkansas State Police
October 16, 2026
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