A Jonesboro man remains in custody on a $1 million bond after authorities charged him with sexually assaulting a child, according to court records.
Craighead County District Judge David Boling on Monday found probable cause to charge 51-year-old James Austin Smith with second-degree sexual assault, a Class C felony. During the hearing, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Ray Nickle requested a $150,000 cash or surety bond. However, Judge Boling increased the bond to $1 million, citing Smith’s 17 prior arrests, some involving violent offenses. The judge also ordered that Smith wear a GPS ankle monitor and imposed a no-contact order.
According to the affidavit, the alleged assault occurred as the child was walking on Hoover Street. Smith reportedly asked her a question, and when she did not respond, he ran up behind her, grabbed her, and shoved his hand inside her pants. The child told investigators she punched Smith in the face and ran away.
Court documents filed by Sgt. Christopher Pigg noted that the child had scratches on her stomach and under her shorts. The victim's age has not been disclosed to protect her identity.
The investigation is being handled by the Crimes Against Children Division, and Smith is currently being held in the Craighead County Detention Center. His arraignment is scheduled for Oct. 26.
No additional details have been released at this time.