Arkansas
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.
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.
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.
The Arkansas Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at Monday, June 22, 2026 results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from June 22 drawing
17-19-21-45-48, Powerball: 13, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 3 numbers from June 22 drawing
Midday: 8-6-8
Evening: 4-9-7
Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 4 numbers from June 22 drawing
Midday: 4-4-6-9
Evening: 6-4-1-4
Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Natural State Jackpot numbers from June 22 drawing
07-17-23-28-32
Check Natural State Jackpot payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from June 22 drawing
07-08-20-24-42, Bonus: 05
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
When are the Arkansas Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
- Cash 3 Midday: 12:59 p.m. CT daily except Sunday.
- Cash 3 Evening: 6:59 p.m. CT daily.
- Cash 4 Midday: 12:59 p.m. CT daily except Sunday.
- Cash 4 Evening: 6:59 p.m. CT daily.
- Lucky For Life: 9:30 p.m. CT daily.
- Natural State Jackpot: 8 p.m. CT daily except Sunday.
- LOTTO: 9 p.m. CT on Wednesday and Saturday.
- Millionaire for Life: 10:15 p.m. CT daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Arkansas editor. You can send feedback using this form.
Arkansas
Latest Peppermint Hippo court filing alleges misconduct by Arkansas officials, asks for liquor license reinstatement
Video: Peppermint Hippo appeals liquor license revocation before Alcoholic Beverage Control board
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The latest court filing by a lawyer representing the Peppermint Hippo gentlemen’s club alleges misconduct by an Arkansas agency and its department head.
The filing asks that the club’s liquor license be reinstated pending judicial review of the January 2026 decision to revoke it. It alleges that Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Director Christy Bjornson “tainted the entire administrative proceedings.”
The filing alleges Bjornson had ex parte, or single-sided, conversations with Peter Riberiro about the death of his brother, John Riberiro. John Riberiro was killed in November 2021 after being ejected from the club and climbing a fence alongside Interstate 40, where he was hit by a car.
Peter Riberiro contacted ABC by email in February 2025, calling for the club’s license to be revoked. Bjornson replied to the email personally, and she and ABC Director of Enforcement David Potter then had a series of phone conferences with Peter Riberiro and his attorney through January 2026, ex parte communications since Peppermint Hippo representatives were not included, the filing alleges.
The filing also alleges that Bjornson acted with “extreme bias” in the club’s list of violations, including those that had previously been investigated and found unfounded. Bjornson determined the club was in violation, then looked for evidence substantiating her views, the filing alleges.
The state maintains, in a separate filing, that Bjornson’s communications were not ex parte under Arkansas law because she was acting as an administrator and the final decision was made by the ABC board, not her. Even if she was, the state’s filing continues, the decision to revoke was due to “substantial evidence and was neither arbitrary, capricious, nor an abuse of discretion.”
A hearing about the reinstatement is scheduled for Aug. 3 in Pulaski County Circuit Court.
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — It may be hard to believe in the present day, but Arkansas did beat a Nick Saban-coached team once upon a time. Twice, actually.
Of course, it occurred when Saban was the head coach at LSU, not Alabama, where his Crimson Tide squads beat Arkansas 17 times in a row.
But all the way back in 2000, just months after Nolan Richardson’s Hoop Hogs delivered an SEC Tournament title, the Razorbacks beat LSU 14-3 at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock in Saban’s first campaign in Baton Rouge.
Do those circumstances sound familiar?
Yes, they might just be coincidences, but John Calipari’s team did cut down the nets in Bridgestone Arena on March 15 after winning the SEC Tournament.
Arkansas football is preparing to host LSU this fall (albeit in Fayetteville, not Little Rock) and the Tigers have a first-year head coach of their own in Saban protege Lane Kiffin.
Kiffin, of course, isn’t new to the SEC or Arkansas fans. The Razorbacks went 2-4 against Kiffin during his six years as the head coach at Ole Miss.
However, he does give the Razorbacks an opportunity, while a seemingly small one, to do something they haven’t done since beating the Tigers with Saban calling the shots in 2000: beat an LSU team led by a first-year head coach.
Teams led by first-year head coaches are supposedly more vulnerable and susceptible to defeat, though that trend has been largely nullified in the modern era due to the transfer portal and NIL.
Arkansas didn’t seem to get that memo, however. In its last three games against LSU when the Tigers had a first-year head coach, it lost all three.
Les Miles’ first LSU team beat the Hogs in a 19-17 nailbiter in Baton Rouge in 2005, though the 4-6 Razorbacks were surprisingly competitive against a 9-1 LSU squad.
In 2017, Ed Orgeron’s maiden voyage as LSU’s HC included a 33-10 rout of the Razorbacks at Tiger Stadium against a wounded Austin Allen.
In 2022, Arkansas gave LSU, the eventual SEC West champions, all it could handle in a 13-10 loss in Brian Kelly’s first tussle with the Hogs on what resembled more of a frozen tundra than Razorback Stadium.
Is there much hope for Arkansas and Ryan Silverfield to beat LSU on Nov. 28? Not really, and understandably so. Kiffin is not your average first-year head coach.
He’ll have an immensely talented QB in Sam Leavitt under center and a roster that could contend for a College Football Playoff berth or even an SEC title.
But depending on how Arkansas’ first 11 games of 2026 go, the Hogs could be playing for more than pride. There is potential for Arkansas to be fighting for bowl eligibility in Week 13 should it find victories against the likes of Utah, Auburn and South Carolina.
A win would be the Razorbacks’ first over their border rival at home since 2014. That’s not to mention the inherent nostalgia that will come with the Battle for the Golden Boot returning to its rightful place on the college football schedule as a Thanksgiving weekend rivalry game.
All that’s left for Silverfield to do is to dial up some 2000 magic and try and become the first man since Houston Nutt to beat the LSU Tigers with a first-year head coach on the opposite sideline.
Hogs on SI Season Preview Series
North Alabama: Why Week One Matters More Than It Should
Utah: Silverfield Doesn’t Know What Razorbacks Are, Utes Will Provide Answers
Georgia: Razorbacks Might Not Beat Georgia, But Offer Test Kirby Smart Didn’t Expect
Texas A&M: Can Hogs’ Rebuilt Defense Slow Down Marcel Reed?
Tennessee: Razorbacks Must Reclaim Homefield Advantage Against Tennessee
Vanderbilt: Arkansas Might Be Catching Vanderbilt at Right Time in 2026
Missouri: Silverfield Could Have Master Plan to Finally Beat Missouri
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