Lake City Man Sentenced to Ten Years for Sexual Assault of Child

JONESBORO, Ark. — A 36-year-old Lake City man was sentenced to ten years in prison for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old in what he claimed was a “consensual” relationship.

Jonathan C. Reid, of Lake City, entered a negotiated guilty plea to second-degree sexual assault on Monday, with charges for contributing to the delinquency and introduction of a controlled substance being nolle prosequi.

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Reid was sentenced to ten years in the Arkansas Department of Corrections, with credit for 616 days served. An additional 10 years was imposed as a suspended sentence, with conditions that Reid must follow. A no-contact order was set for the victim, and Reid must register as a sex offender.

Reid is not allowed to reside with a minor child unless it is approved by a circuit judge. He is not allowed to drink alcohol, associate with people who have felonies, or own a firearm. He must also pay court costs of $940 through installments beginning 90 days after his release. Additional conditions apply.

Any violation of those conditions could result in Reid serving an additional ten years in prison.

Circuit Judge Randy Philhours presided over the case. The State was represented by Deputy Prosecutor Bryce Cook. Reid was represented by the public defender’s office.

Prosecutor Sonia Hagood shared the following statement with NEA Report:

“We dislike compromised pleas as much as the public, but sometimes hard choices are necessary to secure accountability, protect the child from reliving trauma in court, and ensure the offender is taken off the street and forced to register as a sex offender.”

– Sonia Hagood, 2nd Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney

Authorities first learned of the case on January 9. A 29-year-old female reported the incident to police, with officers responding for a welfare concern.

According to the report, the defendant was engaging in sexual intercourse with the 14-year-old girl as well as giving her alcohol and narcotics. The report notes that police seized a pill bottle full of “mixed amphetamine salts,” as well as a bottle full of Clonazepam pills.

Police made contact with the suspect, Jonathan C. Reid, 35, of Lake City. He was located at a restaurant and arrested, the report said. Police found two handguns on the man, with one of the guns in a leg holster. After interviewing the defendant, police said he claimed the relationship was “consensual” and asked for his attorney.

Reid was first arrested on charges including felony rape and misdemeanor contributing to the delinquency of a minor. He was transported to Craighead County Detention Center, where he was held on a $500,000 bond.