Jonesboro, AR – Jonesboro Right Now – Court dates have been set for a Jonesboro man facing a felony charge after police said he sexually assaulted a juvenile.

According to a scheduled order filed Monday, a motion and plea day for 51-year-old James Austin Smith is scheduled for Nov. 9, followed by a jury trial from Nov. 16-20.

Smith faces a class C felony of second-degree sexual assault following a call Jonesboro police officers responded to regarding a juvenile who had been sexually assaulted.

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According to a probable cause affidavit, the victim told responding officers they were walking down the street when Smith, whom the victim recognized, crossed the road and approached them.

As the victim responded, the victim said Smith ran up behind them, wrapped his arms around the victim, shoved his hand down inside their pants, and touched them inappropriately. The victim was able to jerk away, punch Smith in the face, and run off.

Smith was initially arrested on Sept. 2 for public intoxication. On Sept. 21, District Judge David Boling found probable cause to charge Smith with the sexual assault charge.

Citing Smith’s 17 prior arrests—including previous violent charges—Boling set Smith’s bond at $1 million cash/surety and ordered that he have no contact with the victim and wear a GPS ankle monitor upon release.

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. You can also call 870-933-9449 to reach the Family Crisis Center’s emergency hotline.

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