PARAGOULD, Ark. – A Paragould man is facing allegations that he attempted to sexually abuse child over the internet.
The Arkansas Department of Human Services received a referral on December 4, 2023 from the Paragould Police Department about the case, the probable cause affidavit says. The report referenced a 14-year-old juvenile female who had made disclosures of attempted sexual abuse.
The juvenile was interviewed by Arkansas State Police’s Crimes Against Children Division. She told the investigator of multiple acts the affidavit says constitute Possession or Use of Child Sexual Abuse Material and Furnishing a Harmful Item to a Minor.
The victim told police the two had exchanged messages via email. A parent of the juvenile apparently searched the suspect’s phone and found the email account involved. When she confronted him, the report says he did not deny the allegations.
David M. Northcutt, 41, of Paragould, is facing charges including felony Possession or Use of Child Sexual Abuse Material and misdemeanor Furnishing a Harmful Item to a Minor.
All suspects are innocent until proven guilty.
This is terrible, so many of these. I grew up in NEA and can remember when a murder or rape was a rarity even in Jonesboro. Now it’s not only happening in Jonesboro but Paragould and the small towns. And so many young children, this is stuff we heard about happening in other places. Does it have to happen here? Or does anyone care?