A Jonesboro man no longer faces rape and incest charges after prosecutors reported the alleged victims’ mother had taken them out of Arkansas and could not be located.
Jonesboro police arrested Lee Arthur Banis in October 2025. He was charged with two counts of rape and one count of incest following a report from the Department of Children and Family Services alleging inappropriate conduct involving two minors. During the investigation, a third alleged victim also accused Banis of sexually assaulting them, according to an affidavit.
On Aug. 14, during a motion and plea hearing, the office of Prosecuting Attorney Sonia Hagood submitted an order of nolle prosequi, indicating the state would not pursue the charges. The decision followed unsuccessful attempts to contact the children or their mother.
Court records stated that multiple appointments had been scheduled for the victims, but none were attended. When prosecutors attempted to locate the victims in person, they discovered their residence was abandoned.
“Further investigation indicates that the victims’ mother has removed the children from the State of Arkansas, and no contact information for her or the victims is available,” the filing noted. Prosecutors said they utilized external resources to track down the family but were unable to find any current address or contact information.
Second Judicial Circuit Court Judge Randy Philhours reviewed the situation and officially dropped the charges against Banis on the same day.
No additional information regarding the children's whereabouts or the decision was provided by authorities.