EDITOR’S NOTE (June 17, 2026): Following the publication of this article, certified court records verified that the charges against Erin Hodges were officially dismissed by the court and the matter has been resolved.
Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – Oct. 28, 2024 – An assistant principal of a Jonesboro school charged with theft has been placed on administrative leave.
Erin Hodges, assistant principal of Douglas MacArthur Junior High School, was arrested Saturday after allegedly shoplifting $82 worth of merchandise from the Target on Highland Drive.
According to the police report, Hodges could be seen on security footage grabbing two of the same shirts, placing one inside the other, and then folding them and placing them in her cart. She reportedly did this with three different shirts and jackets.
The report added that when Hodges got to self-checkout, she only scanned the item on the outside, even though there were six items in total. Target employees also found several more items at checkout she was attempting to leave with, including several air fresheners.
Hodges has been placed on administrative leave while Jonesboro Public Schools reviews the situation in accordance with district policies, according to a statement from JPS Superintendent Kim Wilbanks.
Hodges was charged with one count of theft of $1,000 or less. She was given a court date of Jan. 6. According to court documents, Hodges was released within an hour. She makes $92,353.68 a year.
