A $150,000 secured bond was set Friday for a White Hall man accused of grooming a minor to be raped.
Pine Bluff District Judge John Kearney set the bond after ruling prosecutors have probable cause to charge 51-year-old Aaron Burcham with rape.
Reading from an affidavit by Pine Bluff Police Department Detective Tiffany Wood, the Prosecuting Attorney said on March 18th, Woods attended a forensic interview with The Crimes Against Children Center for a possible rape incident.
Emails were also turned over to the police department in regard to the victim being assaulted by an adult male.
The victim, who is 16 years old, disclosed that her mother’s boyfriend, 51-year-old Aaron Burcham, suggested she see an online therapist. In the emails, the therapist instructed her to conduct “therapy sessions” with Burcham as well as encouraging the consumption of alcohol.
The emails confirmed there were many smaller as well as more major “therapy sessions” ranging in severity.
The victim was groomed into believing this was legitimate therapy. The victim advised this began in October 2025, with Bertram enlisting the assistance of a friend of his, until March 2026, which is currently being investigated.
On June 3rd, Burcham was detained and taken into custody, read his Maranda rights, and he requested a lawyer.
He is ordered to have no contact with the victim and is scheduled to return to court July 27th.
