News

Jonesboro Man Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Sharing CSAM on Social Media

Photo: Craighead County Sheriffs Office


Jonesboro, AR – Jonesboro Right Now – A Jonesboro man has been sentenced to half a decade in the Arkansas Division of Correction after pleading guilty to three felony counts of possession or use of child sexual abuse material.

Austin Hunter Deatherage, 26, entered a negotiated guilty plea in the Craighead County Circuit Court on Oct. 20, with Judge Randy Philhours sentencing him the 60-month prison sentence alongside a 120-month suspended imposition of a sentence. Deatherage received credit for 385 days of jail time already served, the sentencing order shows.

| ADD US ON GOOGLE NEWS: Click here to see more local news from Jonesboro Right Now

In addition to his prison term, Deatherage was ordered to pay $1,490 in total fines and court costs, which includes a $500 cybercrime assessment, a $300 fine, and a $250 mandatory sex offender fee. He is required to register as a sex offender and must complete a mandatory assessment with the Arkansas Community Corrections Sex Offender Aftercare Program.

Court documents outlining conditions for Deatherage’s suspended sentence mandate that he cannot reside with any child unless explicitly approved by a circuit judge. He is also required to submit his person, residence, motor vehicles, and other property to search and seizure at any time, with or without a warrant, by a law enforcement or a supervising officer.

Deatherage was originally arrested on Sept. 30, 2025, after Jonesboro police received a cybertip from Arkansas State Police regarding explicit videos involving children that were distributed via Snapchat. A probable cause affidavit said that investigators executed a search warrant and traced the account, phone number, email, and IP address directly to him.

| DAILY BRIEF: Sign up for the Jonesboro Right Now Daily Brief Newsletter

This Week in Jonesboro

Recent Headlines

2 days ago in Entertainment

‘Rent’ musical celebrates its 30th Broadway anniversary with a starry show: ‘No day but today’

Jordan Fisher was in middle school when he first heard it. He was at his first cast party, gathering with fellow performers around his drama teacher's piano after some community theater.

2 days ago in Lifestyle

The new wedding budget: Where couples are spending more, and less

Modern Gents reports average wedding spending hit $34,200 in 2025, highlighting that couples prioritize experiences and personalization while balancing budgets amid rising costs.

2 days ago in Entertainment, Music

Why big music stars like Harry Styles and Celine Dion are embracing residencies

For Harry Styles' dedicated audience, it is the can't-miss event of the year: Tens of thousands have descended on New York City's Madison Square Garden each night of his 30-date residency, rushing to catch the show before it concludes Halloween weekend.

3 days ago in Entertainment

Tom Cruise to receive life achievement award from the American Film Institute

Tom Cruise is being celebrated with a life achievement award from the American Film Institute, AFI's board of trustees said Wednesday The award will be handed out at a gala tribute in Los Angeles at the Dolby Theatre on April 24 next year.

3 days ago in Sports, Trending

World Series preview: Surprising Rays-Brewers showdown to open with Jacob Misiorowski’s record heat

The Miz will try to whiz his famous fastball by batters on baseball's biggest stage, opening a new-look World Series between teams guaranteed to produce a first-time champion.