A West Plains man was taken into custody early Sunday after police say he sexually assaulted a woman at knifepoint and was later found in possession of methamphetamine.
According to a probable cause statement from the West Plains Police Department, officers were dispatched around 9:47 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, to a residence on Joe Jones Road in Howell County following a report of a forcible sexual assault involving a knife.
While responding, officers were advised that the suspect might still be in a vehicle behind the residence. Police made contact with the suspect, identified as Taylor Wilcox, who was found sitting in the driver’s seat covered with a blanket.
Officers recovered a folding pocketknife from Wilcox, along with a small container wrapped in fabric. Inside, police observed a plastic baggie containing a white crystalline substance and a cut plastic straw with residue. The substance later tested positive for methamphetamine using a TruNarc Narcotics Analyzer, police said.
Investigators also located a black bag inside the vehicle containing clothing that the victim later identified as what she had been wearing at the time of the assault. The victim also identified the knife recovered from Wilcox as the weapon allegedly used during the attack.
In a subsequent interview, the victim told officers she and Wilcox were in a domestic relationship. She reported that the incident began shortly after midnight when an argument occurred inside the residence. The victim told police Wilcox allegedly blocked her from leaving, restrained her, and threatened her with a knife.
Police say the victim reported that Wilcox forced her to undress and sexually assaulted her while threatening her life. She told investigators that Wilcox later ordered her to shower and made statements indicating an attempt to eliminate DNA evidence.
The victim’s child was reportedly inside the residence at the time but was not physically harmed.
Wilcox was taken into custody at the scene as is charged with Rape or Attempted Rape, Armed Criminal Action, Kidnapping, Possession of a Controlled Substance and Unlawful Use of a Weapon. His bond is set at $100,000.
