Jonesboro, AR – Jonesboro Right Now – A Jonesboro man is being held on a $150,000 cash/surety bond following an investigation into the sexual assault of a minor that police said he met on social media.
District Judge Tommy Fowler found probable cause Sept. 23 to charge 44-year-old Elbert Jackson with the following offenses:
- Internet stalking of a child (Class B felony)
- Fourth-degree sexual assault (Class D felony)
According to the probable cause affidavit, on Sept. 8, Jonesboro police officers responded to a hospital in reference to a reported rape. The victim told officers they began communicating with a male suspect on TikTok approximately one month prior, with conversations later moving to Snapchat.
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The victim reported that the suspect made repeated sexual comments during their exchanges. The affidavit noted the victim informed the suspect of their age, to which he indicated he was older.
After ending a relationship with someone else, the victim ordered an Uber to the suspect’s home on Oak Street. Once inside, the victim said they kissed before going to a bedroom where the suspect had sex with them. Following the encounter, the victim ordered a second Uber to return home.
The victim was taken to the Child Advocacy Center for a forensic interview and sexual assault examination.
Investigators received permission to search the victim’s phone and extracted Snapchat conversations. Police reported that the extracted messages confirmed the suspect was aware of the victim’s age. Using a photograph sent during the communications, social media usernames, and the Oak Street address, officers identified the suspect as Jackson.
Jackson was arrested Sept. 22 after a warrant had been issued for him the day prior.
In addition to the $150,000 bond, Fowler ordered Jackson to have no contact with the victim
Jackson is scheduled to be back in court on Nov. 23.
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