Caraway Man Accused of Burning, Assaulting Woman Over Tattoo

CARAWAY, Ark. — A Craighead County man is accused of burning and assaulting a woman during a domestic disturbance in Caraway, according to a probable cause affidavit.

On Aug. 9, deputies responded to a home in the 300 block of School Street after receiving a report of a disturbance with injury. Deputies found Ariel Pacheco upset and crying. She told them that Zachary Rhodes, 38, who had been gone all day, became angry after seeing a tattoo on her wrist from a previous relationship.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Pacheco told deputies the argument turned physical and that Rhodes struck her several times before holding her down. She alleged Rhodes heated a knife with a lighter until it was red hot and pressed it against her wrist in an attempt to burn and scrape off the tattoo of a former boyfriend’s name. Deputies said the incident left severe burns, and Pacheco was taken by EMS to a hospital for treatment.

Deputies located Rhodes at another address in Caraway and took him into custody. They said Rhodes admitted to causing the burns because the tattoo had another man’s name on it.

Rhodes is being charged with second-degree domestic battery, a Class B felony. Judge David Boling set bail at $125,000 cash or surety, with a GPS ankle monitor required if released.

Court records show Rhodes pleaded guilty to domestic battery in January 2025 involving the same victim. Judge Boling expressed frustration over the repeated issues with the same victim.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.