Sons of Guns star William Hayden has been arrested and charged with raping his 12-year-old daughter for over a year.

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Hayden, the founder and owner of Red Jacket Firearms shop in Baton Rouge, was arrested on Tuesday in Livingston, LA, and charged with aggravated rape of a minor on top of molestation charges he was already facing that date back to a couple of weeks ago, TMZ reported.

According to court documents, Hayden's daughter reportedly came forward and claimed the reality TV star had taken her virginity in March 2013, when she was only 11-years-old, and has been raping her almost daily ever since.

The criminal case has prompted Discovery Channel to cancel Sons of Guns after five seasons on the air. 

"Given the serious and horrific nature of the charges against Will Hayden, we have decided to halt further production of Sons of Guns and cancel the series," the network said in a statement released Wednesday.

The young victim alleged Hayden had forced her to engage in both oral and vaginal sex regularly but she never reported it because she felt threatened by her father. The Baton Rouge Times-Picayune additionally reported that Hayden would take his daughter into his bedroom to rape her.

To keep her quiet, Hayden reportedly intimidated the victim by saying, "Don't tell them nothing, because I'm all you got," according to the documents.

Under Louisiana law, a person is charged with aggravated rape when the victim is under the age of 13 years.

"Today, Red Jacket Firearms has received complete legal separation as an entity, from Will Hayden," Hayden's company wrote in Facebook statement released on Tuesday. "We will continue to operate, although with heavy hearts and promise to do everything in our power to fill customer orders, back orders and provide support to those affected by these new developments."

Hayden was initially arrested two weeks ago on August 9 in Louisiana for allegedly molesting his daughter. He was booked on molestation charges of a juvenile and crimes against nature yet subsequently released on $150,000 bail, The Times-Picayune reported.

The molestation accusations reportedly led law enforcement sources to investigate the case further, resulting in the East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Department tacking on the new charge of aggravated rape this week.

The allegations Hayden had been molesting his daughter derived from the Sons of Guns star's ex-girlfriend, according to TMZ, who is the mother of the 12-year-old child. Hayden reportedly insisted this woman was making false accusations as revenge for him breaking up with her.

Red Jacket Firearms released a statement obtained by The Times-Picayune following Hayden's August 9 arrest, denying the molestation claims.

"We acknowledge that allegations of child abuse were made against Mr. Will Hayden," the company said. "This was reported by someone intent on smearing his reputation."

Hayden's eldest daughter, Stephanie Hayden Ford -- who serves as Hayden's business partner and manages the company office -- denied Sons of Guns' cancellation in light of the accusations against her father 10 days ago on her Facebook fan page.

"Guys the show is NOT canceled! We so appreciate the outcry of injustice but its not true, I guess some ppl just need ratings lol! We are on a hold with filming while my family takes care of a few things. You guys are the best fans ever & we love you so much! Thank u for standing strong with us!" Ford wrote.

Laurie Goldberg, a Discovery Channel representative, reportedly declined comment on the show's future and Hayden's criminal case.

Sons of Guns premiered on Discovery in January 2011. The network officially pulled the plug on the show on Wednesday.


About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski

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