A Jonesboro woman held at the Clay County Detention Center is facing additional charges after allegedly assaulting jail staff on separate occasions, according to officials.
The first incident occurred on Saturday, October 10, 2026, around 2:30 p.m., when a female Clay County jailer was escorting an inmate, identified as 49-year-old Stephanie Ann Riggins, back to her cell. Authorities report that Riggins refused to enter her cell, pushed the jailer, and grabbed the back of her head, chin, and throat. A male jailer intervened to assist, and together they managed to secure Riggins in the cell. The female jailer sustained a sore neck and shoulder during the altercation.
Riggins was originally incarcerated on a charge of third-degree assault on a family member. Following Saturday’s incident, she was additionally charged with second-degree battery for allegedly injuring a correctional officer in the line of duty. On Tuesday, October 13, a district court judge set her bond for the jail attack at $75,000.
Later the same day, another incident occurred after Riggins was returned to the detention center. At approximately 11:15 a.m., she again refused to enter her cell, officials said. This time, Riggins allegedly grabbed the hair and face of one female jailer while another tried to assist. Additional staff arrived, but Riggins reportedly held onto the jailer’s hair during the struggle. The jailers sustained scratches and other minor injuries before managing to secure Riggins in her cell.
Clay County officials confirm that Riggins now faces additional charges stemming from the second reported assault on staff.
The case remains under investigation by local authorities, and Riggins will appear in court to address the new allegations in the coming days.