An Independence County man is behind bars, facing rape charges following two separate incidents.

On Monday, authorities arrested 29-year old Thomas Cody Kramer, of Batesville, and charged him with two counts of rape.

According to a probable cause affidavit, the Independence County Sheriff’s Department received a tip in April from the Arkansas State Police hotline regarding sexual abuse.

According to the affidavit, the victim said the first incident happened in the summer of 2009, the second five years later in the summer of 2014.

While the Independence County Sheriff’s Department conducted its investigation, the Cabot Police Department was also conducting a separate investigation into Kramer.

During the Cabot Police Department’s investigation, search warrants uncovered digital images, computer searches, digital paper documents, and teen pornographic searches.

Kramer, a former pastor was given a $500,000 bond.