PARAGOULD, Ark. — A Paragould man previously reported missing is now in the Greene County Jail on two counts of second-degree sexual assault involving a child under the age of 11.
Jonathan A. Hawkins, 35, was booked July 31 by the Paragould Police Department, according to the Greene County Sheriff’s Office jail roster.
District Judge Curtis Hitt set Hawkins’ bond at $250,000 surety. If released, Hawkins must wear an ankle monitor, possess no weapons and have no contact with the alleged victim, witnesses or others involved in the case.
The charges are Class B felonies. The alleged offenses occurred between July 28, 2025, and July 28, 2026, according to a probable cause affidavit filed by Paragould police.
The Arkansas Child Abuse Hotline and Paragould police received a report July 29 that a child had disclosed alleged sexual abuse. An investigator with the Arkansas State Police Crimes Against Children Division interviewed the child that day.
The child identified Hawkins and alleged he touched the child beneath clothing on more than one occasion after they moved into their current residence, the affidavit states.
Police also interviewed several people to whom the child had reportedly disclosed the allegations. Investigators said the witnesses described the child’s account as consistent and reported that Hawkins had previously said and done things they considered inappropriate.
Investigators collected text messages Hawkins allegedly sent to the child and the witnesses. According to the affidavit, the messages showed Hawkins apologizing, denying the alleged conduct and stating, “I do not think I groped anyone.”
The affidavit states Hawkins was confronted by phone and text about the allegations July 28, before Paragould police learned of the report. Police said Hawkins then left work in Jonesboro early, appeared to turn off his cellphone and was later detected by Flock cameras in Tipton County, Tennessee.
Hawkins was subsequently listed as a missing person by Paragould police. He is no longer considered missing and remains in the Greene County Jail.
All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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