Texarkana man jailed in Cleburne County on rape, domestic abuse charges

HEBER SPRINGS, Ark. – A Texarkana man is being held in the Cleburne County jail on $150,000 bond on charges of rape, sexual assault and domestic violence, jail and court records show.

James Elton Poore III, 43, was booked into the Cleburne County jail at 5:46 p.m. Wednesday, according to the jail roster. He had been booked into the Bowie County jail in Texarkana at 8:28 p.m. Tuesday on a hold for another agency, Bowie County jail records show.

A Cleburne County circuit judge signed a bench warrant for Poore’s arrest on Sept. 25, the same day prosecutors filed a seven-count criminal information against him in Cleburne County Circuit Court.

The information charges Poore with rape, a Class Y felony; second-degree sexual assault, a Class B felony; aggravated assault on a family or household member and first-degree terroristic threatening, both Class D felonies; and three misdemeanors: third-degree domestic battery and two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Rape is punishable in Arkansas by 10 to 40 years or life in prison.

The rape count alleges that in June, Poore engaged in sexual intercourse or deviate sexual activity with a person who was incapable of consent because the person was physically helpless.

The sexual assault count alleges sexual contact by forcible compulsion in December 2025.

The aggravated assault count alleges that in December 2025, Poore impeded the breathing or blood circulation of a family or household member by applying pressure to the chest, throat or neck or by blocking the nose or mouth. The domestic battery count, from the same month, alleges he caused physical injury to a family or household member.

The terroristic threatening count alleges that in June, Poore threatened to cause death or serious physical injury to another person.

The two contributing to the delinquency of a minor counts allege that in December 2025 and again in June, Poore, as an adult, knowingly aided, caused or encouraged a minor to do an act prohibited by law.

The information was signed by 16th Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Drew Smith and Deputy Prosecutor Daniel Haney. It recites the language of each statute and does not describe the events behind the charges. An affidavit for the warrant is listed on the court docket but was not available in the online case file.

If Poore posts bond, a court order bars him from approaching or communicating with any victim or witness, requires him to stay within the 16th Judicial District, which covers Cleburne, Independence, Izard, Fulton and Stone counties, and prohibits him from possessing weapons or alcohol.

Bowie County jail records list a Texarkana address for Poore. Court records show he was a party to a Cleburne County case in 2010.

Court records do not show whether Poore has an attorney or when he is scheduled to appear in court.

A criminal information is a formal accusation by a prosecutor and is not evidence of guilt. Poore is presumed innocent unless convicted in court.