Paragould, AR – JonesboroRightNow.com – A Paragould man is being held on a $1.5 million bond after authorities said a lengthy investigation revealed he had raped a child multiple times.
Russell Hawkins, 61, was arrested and booked into the Greene County Detention Center Feb. 2, according to the online jail roster.
According to an affidavit, on May 1, 2025, the Arkansas Child Abuse Hotline and Paragould Police Department received a report regarding a child disclosing sexual abuse.
The affidavit noted that the abuse reportedly stopped in Aug. 2024 when the child was removed from the home. Investigators also learned the child had attempted to disclose the abuse by Hawkins in May 2023 during a separate investigation in another county.
Between 2025 and 2026, investigators conducted multiple interviews with family members and the child, which corroborated details of the abuse, leading to Hawkins’ arrest.
Hawkins faces three counts of rape, a Class Y felony.
Editor’s Note: JRN has chosen not to publish certain details due to the graphic nature of the case.
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.
