JONESBORO, Ark. — A former Craighead County detention officer allegedly used the threat of additional detention time to coerce a juvenile detainee before sexually assaulting the juvenile, according to a probable cause affidavit released Wednesday.
Ashton Rose, 32, faces one count of second-degree sexual assault, a Class B felony. His bond was set by Circuit Judge Scott Ellington at $25,000 in a form acceptable to the sheriff, per agreement between the public defender and the prosecutor. He was also ordered to have no contact with the alleged victim.
The investigation began July 27 after a juvenile detainee reported that Rose had touched the juvenile’s breasts, according to the affidavit.
During an interview two days later, the juvenile reportedly told investigators that an encounter with Rose began July 25 when he took a deck of cards from the juvenile. After the juvenile took the cards back, Rose allegedly threatened to write a disciplinary report that he claimed would add 90 days to the juvenile’s detention.
The affidavit alleges Rose offered not to write the report if the juvenile exposed the juvenile’s breasts and allowed him to touch them.
The following day, Rose allegedly escorted the juvenile back from a church service and later returned to the juvenile’s cell. Investigators said Rose placed his arms through an opening in the cell door during the encounter.
Video from the juvenile detention center reportedly showed Rose with his arms inside the cell-door opening for at least 18 seconds. Rose admitted during an interview that he placed his arms inside the juvenile’s cell, according to the affidavit.
The Craighead County Sheriff’s Office previously announced that Rose was terminated Aug. 10 following an internal investigation into misconduct. The findings were submitted to the Craighead County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, which reviewed the investigation before a warrant was issued.
Rose was arrested and booked into the Craighead County Detention Center shortly before noon Tuesday, Aug. 11.
Court records list his next appearance for 8:30 a.m. Sept. 30 in Craighead County Circuit Court.
Second-degree sexual assault is punishable by five to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000.
All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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