Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – April 19, 2024 – Jonesboro Police arrested one person and issued citations to 17 others following a night of vandalism at the Academies at Jonesboro High School. JPD Public Information Specialist Sally Smith said “the kids destroyed property in the school, it’s pretty bad.” Social media videos posted, some recorded while the vandalism was being done, indicated most, if not all, of those involved in the vandalism were high school age. Whether they were all JPS students was unclear. Social media has referenced the vandalism as a “senior prank” that is “done every year.” Smith called what happened inside the school “unacceptable vandalism.”
A Jonesboro Police Department incident report said a 17-year-old juvenile was arrested on charges of resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, obstructing governmental operations, criminal trespass, and criminal mischief. That same report listed four additional juveniles and thirteen adults cited for various charges including criminal trespass, criminal mischief and other misdemeanors. Smith said it will be up to the school whether to press charges against those who were cited.
The adults arrested were listed as Honesty Euince Lark, 18; Zarhea Collins, 18; Jyanna Jasmyne Woods, 18; Allison Bridges, 18; Kevion Lee Williams, 19; Jonathan Devron Milton, 18; Jimaria Ruth Dannie Jackson, 18; Alayna Crabtree, 18; Jamarion Noble, 18; Terrance Brandon Brown, 18; Melvin D Smith, 19; L D Lenair, 18; and Devinua Q’dealia Crawford, 18, all of Jonesboro. A 39-year-old female was also cited and named in the report but was not identified.
Smith said others involved in the vandalism had left the scene. She said investigators are working with JPS officials to search through security video and online posts to identify the others. Smith said any who are identified will be cited as well.
JonesboroRightNow obtained video taken from inside the Academies at Jonesboro High School from a person who wished to remain anonymous because the person was not authorized to speak on behalf of the school district.
The Academies at Jonesboro High School Prom is scheduled for next Saturday, April 27. There were social media reports that students had been told the prom had been cancelled. However, JPS Director of Safety & Security Todd Nelson said he has not been told that. Attempts to reach JPS Superintendent Dr. Kim Wilbanks, director of marketing & communications Marcie Cheatham, and Academies Principal Dr. Brad Faught have so far been unsuccessful.
According to a post on the Jonesboro Police Department’s Facebook page, “A Jonesboro police officer noticed a group of people in the Jonesboro High School parking lot shortly after 11 p.m. on April 18. Upon contact, he noticed eggs and debris on the ground. More units arrived on the scene to investigate.”
“School administrators and police entered the school and discovered further damage throughout the hallways. One person was arrested and charged with resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, obstructing governmental operations, criminal trespass and criminal mischief.”
“Thirteen adults and four juveniles were cited and released. Several others had already left the scene.”
“The Jonesboro Police Department will work with the Jonesboro School District to investigate the unacceptable vandalism under the misguided premise of a senior prank. All individuals involved will face appropriate legal consequences.”
This is a developing story. Chief Reporter Joe Schratz is working on this story. JonesboroRightNow will update as more information becomes available.
