A Newton County jailer has been charged with fourth-degree sexual assault following an investigation by the Arkansas State Police. Sheriff Glenn Wheeler confirmed that 23-year-old Trevor Coy Smith of Jasper, Arkansas, was arrested on Friday and later released on bond.
According to Sheriff Wheeler, the inquiry began when the Newton County Sheriff’s Office received a report about a runaway juvenile who was later found at Smith’s residence. Smith, who was an employee of the sheriff’s office at the time, was immediately suspended, and the prosecuting attorney requested the Arkansas State Police to take over the investigation.
A probable cause affidavit indicates that Smith admitted during an initial interview with investigators that he lied about his age and had a sexual relationship with the juvenile. Smith described meeting the girl at a party in Zinc, Arkansas, where he told her parents he was 22 years old. He claimed he believed the juvenile was of age before engaging in sexual activity.
Smith later acknowledged in a second interview that he was aware of the girl’s underage status and had misled her parents, falsely telling them he was 17. Investigators further allege that Smith exchanged explicit images with the juvenile. The investigation also revealed that the girl stayed overnight at Smith’s residence after he discovered she was pregnant. Deputies retrieved the juvenile shortly after.
Sheriff Wheeler stated that Smith has since been terminated from his position at the sheriff’s office. "This is another very unfortunate situation that sheds a bad light on my agency, an agency that I work so hard to run with integrity and transparency," Wheeler said. He added that his department immediately acted to ensure an independent inquiry.
Smith has been ordered to have no contact with the girl or her family. He remains free on bond pending further legal proceedings.
This marks the second arrest of Newton County Sheriff’s Office personnel in recent weeks. On September 12, former Chief Deputy Mikel Lorne Blocker and current investigator Aaron Ray Carter, both of Jasper, were arrested on charges related to the theft of firearms. That investigation, also handled by the Arkansas State Police, led to Blocker being fired and multiple firearms being recovered. Sheriff Wheeler emphasized the agency’s commitment to accountability in both instances.