Arkansas

Arkansas man cites Bible in sick child-rape excuse

Published

4 weeks ago

January 31, 2026

Arkansas man cites Bible in sick child-rape excuse

An Arkansas man accused of raping multiple children over several years had a sick justification: The Bible said it was OK, according to police.

Local handyman Thomas Stokes, 49, was busted Jan. 14 by Rector police and Clay and Greene County deputies on multiple felonies, including rape and drugging victims — and authorities soon learned of his twisted excuse.

A total of four victims came forward, each telling a similar vile tale, Rector Police Chief Kelly Baker told The Post.

Thomas Stokes claimed there was nothing wrong with raping multiple children — because the Bible said it was ok. Clay County Sheriff’s Office

Police said they began investigating Stokes on Jan. 3 when the first victim — who said they were “deathly afraid” of Stokes — reported being assaulted multiple times and pressured into using methamphetamine.

The victim told investigators Stokes claimed a certain chapter in the Bible “made it OK for him to have sex with them,” Baker said.

Assistant Chief Shain Casebier said he spoke with a second victim on Jan. 5 who stated Stokes had sexually abused them “many times” when they were 12 or 13 years old, the police chief confirmed.

On Jan. 6, a third victim said that Stokes had unprotected sex with them when they were 13 years old.

The same day, Casebier interviewed a fourth victim who said when they were 13, Stokes gave them Xanax then raped them while they were asleep.

Several witnesses corroborated the victims’ stories, Baker said.

police in rector ark — Four victims came forward, police said. Obtained by the NY Post

Shortly after Stokes’ arrest, Greene County District Court Judge Curtis Hitt found probable cause and set bond at $1.5 million.

Rector’s top cop said that for him, Stokes’ arrest brought a long story to an end. Twenty years ago, he had approached one of the victims and asked that they make a police report — but the person, a child at the time, was terrified and refused.

Now, two decades later, they stepped forward and are one of the four persons who reported Stokes to police.

“Not a day went by when I didn’t think of that child,” Baker said. “Everyone in this town is like family to me. My men work hard to protect them.”

Stokes is presently in the Clay County Jail and barred from contacting any victims or witnesses. Should he be released from lockup, he will be required to wear a GPS ankle monitor.

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Arkansas

No. 1 Arkansas leads SEC Indoor after first day finals

Published

11 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Press Room

No. 1 Arkansas leads SEC Indoor after first day finals

Shawn Price
February 26, 2026

COLLEGE STATION – A victory in the 5,000m by Nick Busienei and third place in the distance medley relay had No. 1 Arkansas leading the team score with 18 points on the first day of the SEC Indoor Championships.

The Razorbacks produced 12 of those points in the 5,000m as Nick Busienei won the race in a meet record of 13;31.86, which ranks him No. 7 on the UA all-time list. Busienei bettered the meet record of 13:37.52 set by Razorback Patrick Kiprop in 2025.

James Sankei added two more points in placing seventh with a time of 13:44.57.

Dating back to 1992 when Arkansas competed in its first SEC Indoor meet, Busienei claimed the 21st title for the program and is the 14th Razorback to win the indoor 5,000m.

Six more points were added in the distance medley relay as Arkansas posted a time of 9:30.84 from the foursome of Owan Logorodi (2:58.46), Zyaire Nuriddin (46.51), Julian Carter (1:49.10), and Brian Masai (3:56.77).

South Carolina won the race in 9:30.08 with Ole Miss runner-up in 9:30.34. Florida originally placed third in 9:30.37 but was disqualified for spiking the baton at the conclusion of the race.

Jelani Watkins led the Razorback crew in the 200m prelims as three Arkansas sprinters advanced to the final. Watkins produced an indoor career best of 20.42 rank second overall to a 20.38 by Florida’s Wayna McCoy. Watkins remains No. 2 on the UA all-time list as he improved his previous time of 20.43.

Dapriest Hogans followed with a 20.63 that equaled his career best and his No. 8 ranking on the UA all-time list. Tevijon Williams clocked 20.65 to reach the final where 20.71 was the cutoff time. Jamarion Stubbs ran 20.87 in his prelim heat.

Cooper Williams completed the first day of the heptathlon in sixth place with 2,862 points. He started with a 7.43 in the 60m (736), then added a 21-9.5 (6.64) long jump (729). In the shot put, a mark of 36-8.25 (11.18) picked up 557 points. Williams wrapped up day one by topping the field in the high jump with a clearance of 6-8.25 for 840 points.

Link Lindsey placed 15 in the long jump with a mark of 23-6.75 (7.18).

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Arkansas

The wall goes back up: Arkansas embraces defiant isolation

Published

23 hours ago

February 26, 2026

Press Room

The wall goes back up: Arkansas embraces defiant isolation

“Arkansans have been made better economically, intellectually and socially by letting go of the ‘terrified truculence’ toward outsiders in recent decades. Sadly, as we’ve experienced this sad winter, all signs are that many similar seasons of defiant isolation are in our state’s future,” writes political scholar Jay Barth.

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Arkansas

Man arrested in Arkansas connected to Jan. 2026 fatal hit-and-run in Dallas

Published

1 day ago

February 26, 2026

Press Room

Man arrested in Arkansas connected to Jan. 2026 fatal hit-and-run in Dallas

DALLAS – Authorities in Arkansas have arrested a man accused of being behind the wheel during a January car crash that left one man dead.

Suspect arrested in Arkansas for Dallas hit-and-run

What we know:

U.S. Marshals tracked down 22-year-old Enrique Hernandez in De Queen, a southwest Arkansas town about three hours away from Dallas and an hour north of Texarkana.

Hernandez has been charged with collision involving death, a second-degree felony, in connection with the case. He is currently being held in an Arkansas jail before he is transferred to a jail in Dallas County.

What we don’t know:

Dallas police haven’t said if the suspect has any ties to the victim or the area of Arkansas where he was arrested.

The backstory:

The fatal hit-and-run occurred around 3 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 11 near W. Davis St. and N. Westmoreland Dr. in Dallas.

26-year-old Johnathan Rodriguez was dropped off by friends outside his Dallas neighborhood early Sunday morning after celebrating his birthday.

Surveillance video shows Rodriguez in the media area of the road when a dark-colored SUV hits him and drives away.

Rodriguez was left with severe head trauma, later dying from his injuries.

A bittersweet victory for the family

What they’re saying:

John Rodriguez, the victim’s father, struggled to find the words to describe the news he received.

“It’s not going to bring him back, bring my son back,” Rodriguez told FOX 4’s Peyton Yager. “It hurts every day, every minute. I wake up every morning, and he is not here. We are really going to miss him.”

The Rodriguez family worked with police to help find their son’s killer. They found more surveillance video near the scene of the accident that helped authorities find and arrest Hernandez in Arkansas.

“We are going to fight for justice. Long live Johnny, and we are going to keep on fighting,” Rodriguez said.

The Source: Information in this story came from current and previous FOX 4 reporting.

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