Jonesboro, AR – JonesboroRightNow.com – A Paragould man is behind bars on a $750,000 cash/surety bond after police said he raped a teenager under the age of 16.
According to a probable cause affidavit, filed on May 29, 2026, the minor victim came to the police department with their mother to report a rape that occurred. The juvenile told Detective Adam Hampton that they had been with a family relative, 42-year-old John Daniel Pagan, at a movie theater when Pagan performed a sexual act on them.
The affidavit states that Pagan sat next to the victim during the film. Under the cover of blankets brought to the theater, Pagan allegedly initiated inappropriate physical contact, which escalated to a sexual act.
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According to court documents, the victim fled to the restroom. When the victim stated that upon returning to their seat, they were in shock. Pagan attempted to touch the victim again, but they pushed his hand away and moved to the far edge of the seat.
Following the movie, Pagan drove the victim toward Paragould. During a brief stop at a gas station, Pagan opened the victim’s door. The victim pulled away, and Pagan told them he was sorry, all while wearing a “big grin,” according to the victim. After arriving home, the victim told their mother and a friend what had happened.
On May 28, Pagan was arrested at his home and taken back to Jonesboro, where he was interviewed and confessed to some of the allegations.
The next day, Pagan appeared before Circuit Judge Barbara Halsey, who found probable cause to charge him with rape, a class Y felony.
Records show that Pagan is a registered sex offender in Missouri. He was found guilty of sexual solicitation of a child in 2001.
Because of this, Pagan was ordered to have no contact with anyone under the age of 21 years old and wear a GPS ankle monitor upon release.
Pagan’s next court appearance is scheduled for July 30. If convicted, he faces up to life in prison.
Editor’s Note: JRN has chosen not to publish certain details due to the graphic nature of the case and to protect the identity of the victim.
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic/sexual violence, call 800-656-HOPE (4673) to reach the National Sexual Assault Hotline.
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