News

Paragould man pleads guilty to two counts of rape, sentenced to 50 years in prison

Paragould man pleads guilty to two counts of rape, sentenced to 50 years in prison

Photo: Contributed/Greene County Sheriff's Office


Paragould, AR – JonesboroRightNow.com – A Paragould man has pled guilty to two counts of rape, a Class Y Felony.

Jaxon Anderson was sentenced to a total of 50 years in the Arkansas Department of Corrections, according to a press release from the prosecuting attorney for the 2nd Judicial District, Sonia Hagood. Upon his release, Anderson will also be subject to a 10-year suspended imposition of sentence.

On July 1, 2025, the Arkansas Child Abuse Hotline and the Paragould Police Department received a report concerning a young child who disclosed sexual abuse. According to the release, the child was interviewed by an investigator with the Arkansas State Police Crimes Against Children Division.

During a Mirandaized interview, Anderson made incriminating statements regarding the abuse.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy Prosecutor Wesley Watts. He said, “This plea is a testament to the hard work of the Paragould Police Department and the reputation Greene County has earned for the way our community responds to and treats these types of cases. When agencies work together and take these allegations seriously from the very beginning, it makes a difference for victims and for justice.” 

The release added that Prosecutor Sonia Hagood “remains devoted to protecting the most innocent members of our community and appreciates the efforts of all law enforcement partners involved in the case. The Second Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney’s Office remains committed to accountability and the fair administration of justice.”

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.

This Week in Jonesboro

Recent Headlines

2 days ago in Entertainment

Oscars preview: Producers tease ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ and ‘Sinners’ celebrations

The producers behind the 98th Academy Awards have set out to celebrate not just the hit song "Golden" from "KPop Demon Hunters", but the cultural phenomenon of the film itself. That logic is why the only other nominated song that will get a moment on the broadcast is "I Lied to You," from "Sinners," a blockbuster hit and the most-nominated film of all time.

2 days ago in Entertainment, Music

Q&A: Shakira says she feels like she’s just getting started. A Rock Hall nomination begs to differ

Shakira is on her way to drop her son off at flag football practice. It's an ordinary experience for a mother who, in the not-so-recent past, has been at the center of some pretty extraordinary circumstances.

2 days ago in Lifestyle

Do you really need a water filter? Here’s what experts say

U.S. tap water is generally safe and high quality. But that doesn't mean every glass tastes the same, or that every building's plumbing delivers identical water to the faucet.

3 days ago in Entertainment

‘Dancing with the Stars’ pro Mark Ballas leaps back to Broadway in ‘Chicago’

Mark Ballas is returning to Broadway in "Chicago" and the "Dancing with the Stars" pro will be reuniting with an old friend. Ballas, playing slippery lawyer Billy Flynn starting April 6, will share the stage with his Roxie, Whitney Leavitt, the "Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" star who was his dancing partner on "Dancing with the Stars" last year.

4 days ago in Entertainment

Multiple gunshots fired near Rihanna’s LA home and a woman is taken into custody

Los Angeles police took a woman into custody after she fired gunshots outside Rihanna 's gated home, according to authorities and news reports on Monday.