Jonesboro, AR – Jonesboro Right Now – A former Craighead County Detention Center officer faces a felony sexual assault charge after evidence indicates he coerced a juvenile female inmate into inappropriate contact in exchange for avoiding extra jail time.

District Judge Tommy Fowler found probable cause Aug. 12 to charge 32-year-old Ashton Rose with second-degree sexual assault, a Class B felony, following an investigation into a July incident at a juvenile detention facility.

According to a probable cause affidavit, the inmate reported to an officer on July 27 that Rose had touched her inappropriately. Sgt. Mandi Smyth interviewed the inmate two days later regarding the allegations.

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The inmate stated that on July 25, while she was standing near her cell door shuffling playing cards, Rose snatched the deck from her hands. When she grabbed the cards back, Rose threatened to cite her for a conduct violation.

With her release scheduled in less than a week, the inmate was warned that a conduct violation would result in an additional 90 days in detention. After she apologized and asked Rose not to write her up, he agreed on the condition that she “do something for him,” specifically demanding that she show and let him touch her breasts.

On July 26, Rose escorted the inmate back to her cell following a religious service while the female detention officer was occupied with male inmates. Rose approached the cell door, stated he had 18 minutes. The female inmate requested he return three minutes later, which he did.

The inmate reported that she raised her uniform top and bra per Rose’s instructions, at which point he reached his arms through the opening on the cell door used to deliver meals. The inmate pulled her top back down and stated she was trying not to cry when Rose walked away.

Facility security cameras confirmed Rose reached through the cell door’s opening for approximately 18 seconds. During a police interview, Rose admitted to putting his arms through the hole.

Rose was booked into the Craighead County Detention Center on Aug. 11 before being transferred to the Greene County Detention Center, where he was released Aug. 12 on bond. His next court appearance is set for Sept. 30.

According to a news release from the Craighead County Sheriff’s Office sent Aug. 12, following the investigation, Rose was terminated from his position.

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