Two Rape Counts Dropped in 15-Year Plea Deal

JONESBORO, Ark. — A defendant originally charged with three counts of rape involving a child under 14 was sentenced Monday to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to one rape count in a negotiated agreement with prosecutors.

As part of the agreement, prosecutors nolle prossed the other two Class Y felony rape counts and a Class D felony count of fourth-degree sexual assault.

Dustin Cole Orr, 21, entered the negotiated guilty plea Aug. 3 in Craighead County Circuit Court.

Circuit Judge Scott Ellington sentenced Orr to 180 months in the Arkansas Division of Correction, with an additional 180 months suspended. Orr received credit for 452 days already served.

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Orr must register as a sex offender and have no contact with the victim.

Court records contain an apparent discrepancy concerning the sentence. Orr’s signed guilty plea statement shows the minimum punishment for rape was corrected by hand from 10 years to 25 years.

The sentencing order, however, lists a presumptive range of 180 to 300 months and imposes 180 months in prison. It identifies the sentence as a dispositional departure and lists Orr’s total time to be served as 180 months.

The filings do not explain how the 15-year prison term aligns with the 25-year minimum written on Orr’s guilty plea statement.

Deputy Prosecutor Alexia Perkins represented the state and signed the sentencing order. Public defender Aarika Thompson represented Orr.

The case began May 8, 2025, when Jonesboro police responded to a report of a possible sexual assault involving a child, according to the probable cause affidavit.

The child told an officer that the abuse had occurred multiple times and began before the child turned 14. Specific details that could help identify the victim are being withheld.

During a Mirandized interview, Orr admitted engaging in sexual conduct with the child on at least four occasions, according to the affidavit.

Orr was subsequently arrested on three counts of rape involving a child under 14 and one count of fourth-degree sexual assault. His initial bond was set at $1 million cash or surety.

Reports of suspected child maltreatment may be made to the Arkansas Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-482-5964. Mandated reporters may submit reports online at mandatedreporter.arkansas.gov.

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