Paragould police arrested Robert Gatewood, 57, on two counts of second-degree sexual assault, a Class B felony, following incidents involving minors at Labor Park Gym on Aug. 29.
According to an affidavit, Gatewood allegedly grabbed a boy by the hips and squeezed his buttocks inside the gym. Officers also reviewed video footage reportedly showing Gatewood seated outside the building on a park bench. In the footage, Gatewood can be seen reaching across a table to touch another child before being struck by a third child.
Police originally responded to a report of a boy assaulting Gatewood. During a Mirandized interview, Gatewood admitted to grabbing one boy’s buttocks but expressed greater concern about being struck in the head by one of the children, according to the affidavit.
Greene County District Court Judge Curtis Hitt found probable cause for Gatewood’s arrest. The judge set a $100,000 surety bond and ordered that, if released, Gatewood must adhere to strict conditions. These include no contact with anyone involved in the case, compliance with ankle monitoring, and living a law-abiding life.
Second-degree sexual assault carries significant penalties in Arkansas, as it is classified as a Class B felony.
The Paragould Police Department has not released further details about the investigation.