A Paragould man is being held on a $1 million bond after authorities alleged he repeatedly raped a child under the age of 14.
According to Paragould police, 30-year-old Steele Kohle Ipock was arrested on Friday, Aug. 21. He faces four counts of rape, classified as a Class Y felony, which is the most serious felony category in Arkansas.
Lieutenant Jack Hailey of the Paragould Police Department stated that investigators began looking into the case after receiving a tip from the Arkansas Child Abuse Hotline on Aug. 11. The tip alleged that Ipock had sexually assaulted a child.
During an interview conducted by an investigator with the Arkansas State Police Crimes Against Children Division, the victim described four incidents involving Ipock, including intercourse. According to an affidavit, the child also disclosed that after the assaults, they sent a social media message to Ipock expressing fear they might be pregnant.
Ipock is being held in the Greene County Detention Center as he awaits a court appearance. The Greene County Sheriff’s Office confirmed his bond has been set at $1 million.
Authorities encourage anyone with information about suspected child abuse to report it to the Arkansas Child Abuse Hotline.
No additional details have been released about the case.