Man Sentenced to 20 Years After Pleading Guilty to Second-Degree Sexual Assault

HARRISBURG, Ark. — A Pine Bluff man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty last week to sexually assaulting his stepdaughter during her childhood.

Joseph Tongusi pleaded guilty on March 4, 2026, to sexual assault in the second degree and was sentenced to 20 years in the Arkansas Department of Correction, according to the 2nd Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.

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Tongusi was also ordered to register as a sex offender, prohibited from contacting the victim and may not reside in a household with minor children following his release from incarceration.

Prosecutors said the case began July 7, 2025, when the victim contacted the Trumann Police Department and reported that her stepfather had sexually abused her as a child.

According to investigators, the victim reported the abuse began when she was approximately six or seven years old and continued until she was 15. Authorities said Tongusi was 19 years older than the victim and was in a position of trust as a caregiver at the time of the abuse.

The allegations were later confirmed through DNA testing.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Jimmy Turnbow.

“This victim carried the burden of this abuse for nearly two decades before finding the courage to come forward. We are grateful she did. While nothing can undo what she endured, Mr. Tongusi has now been held accountable. Justice may have been delayed, but it was still served. Child abusers should know that time does not erase their crimes,” Turnbow said.

Prosecutors said that although the abuse occurred years ago, the case was pursued after the victim came forward, noting that delayed disclosure is common in child abuse cases and does not lessen the seriousness of the crime.

Turnbow also thanked the Trumann Police Department, particularly Detective Sgt. Blaine Cagle and Detective Amy Kary, for their work investigating the case.