A Jonesboro man accused of crossing state lines to engage in illegal sexual activity with a minor is no longer facing charges after prosecutors encountered difficulties locating the alleged victim.
Jaron Datrell Adaway was arrested in September 2025 on charges including traveling for the purpose of an unlawful sex act with a minor, interference with custody, fourth-degree sexual assault, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. His trial had been scheduled to begin on Nov. 16.
During a motion and plea hearing on Wednesday, Judge Scott Ellington of the Second Judicial Circuit Court approved an order of nolle prosequi, effectively dropping the charges. The motion was made by Prosecuting Attorney Sonia F. Hagood’s office after repeated attempts to contact the alleged victim and their family proved unsuccessful.
Court documents outlined the prosecution's efforts, including reaching out by mail and telephone, as well as contacting the last known school the victim attended. Despite these efforts, no contact was established.
“Based upon the foregoing, and due to the State’s inability to locate the victim or establish contact necessary to further prosecute this matter, the Court finds that the State’s request to nolle prosse the above-referenced charges should be granted,” the order stated.
The allegations stemmed from an investigation in September 2025. According to an affidavit, Adaway reportedly traveled to Kennett, Missouri, on multiple occasions to meet a 15-year-old and bring them back to Jonesboro. The affidavit alleged that the two engaged in sexual activity and that Adaway supplied the minor with alcohol and marijuana. Court documents also indicated that the victim tested positive for THC at the time.
On Sept. 8, the Dunklin County Sheriff’s Office notified the Jonesboro Police Department that the minor, who had been reported missing, might be in the area. Using tracking information provided by the child’s parents, officers located the victim in Adaway’s vehicle on Red Wolf Boulevard in Jonesboro.
The affidavit further claimed that the minor stated Adaway had picked them up in Kennett on Sept. 7 and driven them to his Jonesboro apartment, where the alleged incident occurred.
With the charges now dropped, the case appears to be at an end unless new evidence or contact with the alleged victim provides grounds for reopening it.