Jonesboro, AR – Jonesboro Right Now – A Jonesboro man is being held on a $1 million cash/surety bond after police said he sexually assaulted a juvenile as they walked down the street.
According to a probable cause affidavit, Jonesboro police officers responded to a call regarding a juvenile who had been sexually assaulted.
The victim told officers that while walking, they saw 51-year-old James Austin Smith, who they recognized, on the other side of the road. Smith called out to the victim, who did not initially answer and continued walking.
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The victim said that Smith crossed the street and spoke to them again as he approached. The victim responded to him as he ran up behind them.
Smith then grabbed the victim from behind, wrapped his arms around them, shoved his hand down inside their pants, and touched them inappropriately, the affidavit said. The victim jerked away from Smith, punched him in the face, and ran off.
The affidavit noted that the victim showed officers scratches on their lower stomach and under their shorts.
Smith was initially arrested on Sept. 2 for public intoxication, according to the Craighead County Detention Center inmate roster.
On Sept. 21, Smith appeared before District Judge David Boling, who found probable cause to charge him with second-degree sexual assault, a class C felony.
During Monday’s hearing, noting Smith’s 17 prior arrests—including previous violent charges—Boling ordered the bond be set at $1 million cash/surety, with the conditions he have no contact with the victim and wear a GPS ankle monitor upon release. The original bond request made by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Ray Nickle was $150,000 cash/surety.
Smith’s next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 26.
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic/sexual violence, call 800-656-HOPE (4673) to reach the National Sexual Assault Hotline. You can also call 870-933-9449 to reach the Family Crisis Center’s emergency hotline.
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