Tenth District Prosecuting Attorney’s Office Victim Assistance Unit

Tenth District Prosecuting Attorney’s Office Victim Assistance Unit Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Tenth District Prosecuting Attorney’s Office Victim Assistance Unit, Government Organization, 506 S. Main Street, Monticello, AR.

Key Services
Case Information and Notification: Informing victims of their rights and keeping them updated on the status of their case, including court dates, sentencing, and offender release or escape information (often via services like VINE).

Violent Habitual Offender Sentenced to 15 Years On August 19th, 2026, an Ashley County jury found Rosario Ford Jr., a 34...
08/20/2026

Violent Habitual Offender Sentenced to 15 Years

On August 19th, 2026, an Ashley County jury found Rosario Ford Jr., a 34-year-old Crossett resident and violent habitual offender, guilty of multiple felony charges.

The conviction stems from an investigation by the Crossett Police Department into a report from the victim regarding an incident on December 13, 2025. The victim reported that Ford threatened to "blow her brains out" while possessing a fi***rm. The Tenth Judicial District Prosecution Attorney's Office charged Ford as a habitual offender with the offenses of Terroristic Threatening in the First Degree, a Class D Felony and Felon in Possession of a Fi***rm, a Class B Felony.

During the one-day jury trial Chief Deputy Prosecutor Attorney Sandra Bradshaw presented testimony from the victim and additional witnesses along with home surveillance video. Ford was represented by attorney Joe Mazzanti. After hearing all the evidence, the jury found Ford guilty of both charges.

The jury heard about Ford’s extensive criminal history during sentencing, which includes convictions for offenses committed in 2018 for Arson in the State of Louisiana, in 2020 for Fleeing in a Vehicle Creating Substantial Danger (Class D Felony) and Driving While Intoxicated in Drew County, in 2020 for Endangering the Welfare of a Minor in the Second Degree (a Class A Misdemeanor) and in a separate case for in 2022 Domestic Battering in the Second Degree (Class C Felony), both in Ashley County.

Following deliberations, the jury recommended a sentence of five years for Terroristic Threatening in the First Degree and 20 years for Possession of a Fi***rm by Certain Persons. Tenth Judicial Circuit Judge Robert B. Gibson III accepted the jury’s recommendation and sentenced Ford to 15 years in the Arkansas Department of Correction.

The Tenth Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney’s Office extends its gratitude to the jury for its time, dedication, and service during the trial. Prosecuting Attorney Frank Spain commented “The jury's verdict sends a clear message that possession of fi***rms by violent felons will not be tolerated.”

Under Arkansas law, an individual previously convicted of a violent felony offense who is subsequently convicted of possessing a fi***rm is ineligible for parole. As a result, Ford must serve the entirety of his 15-year sentence.

Ashley County Jury Convicts Michael Hicks of Second-Degree Sexual AssaultHAMBURG, AR — A jury in Ashley County has found...
08/18/2026

Ashley County Jury Convicts Michael Hicks of Second-Degree Sexual Assault

HAMBURG, AR — A jury in Ashley County has found Michael Hicks guilty of sexual assault in the second degree following a trial in Ashley County Circuit Court before Judge Robert Gibson III.

The conviction stems from a 2023 investigation by the Arkansas State Police Crime Against Children Division and the Ashley County Sheriff's Office concluding that Hicks engaged in illegal sexual contact with a minor under the age of 14.

Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Sandra Bradshaw, represented the State of Arkansas. Hicks was represented by defense attorney Joe Mazzanti. After both parties presented their sides of the case, the jury found Hicks guilty.

During the sentencing version of the trial, the jury heard additional evidence that Hicks had prior convictions for similar offenses. The jury recommended a sentence of 45 years in the Arkansas Department of Correction along with a $10,000 fine. Judge Gibson followed the jury’s recommendation in full. Pursuant to Arkansas’s Habitual offender statute, Hicks will be required to serve 100% of his 45-year sentence without the possibility of parole.

"I want to thank the jury for their time today. Considering the severe nature of the offense, the vulnerable age of the victim, and the defendant's history, the defendant earned his sentence.” said Prosecuting Attorney Frank Spain. "Our office remains committed to holding sexual offenders accountable and protecting the children in our community."

If you believe a child is being abused or neglected, or if you are a victim of child abuse or neglect, immediately contact the Arkansas Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-482-5964 (TDD: 1-800-843-6349). Mandated reporters can also submit reports through the secure online portal at mandatedreporter.arkansas.gov.

To Beau the Courthouse Dog: Thank you for the support you provided to our victims today.

🐾 Beau the Courthouse Dog at the Victim Assistance Unit The Victim Assistance Unit had the honor of hosting Beau, a high...
06/19/2026

🐾 Beau the Courthouse Dog at the Victim Assistance Unit
The Victim Assistance Unit had the honor of hosting Beau, a highly trained court services dog.
Beau plays a vital role in supporting victims of sexual abuse and violent crimes by providing comfort, stability, and a calming presence during incredibly difficult times.
Whether sitting quietly beside a survivor or helping ease anxiety in the courtroom, Beau’s work makes a real difference in the healing process.
We are grateful for partners like Beau who help us create a safer, more supportive environment for those we serve. 💙

Murderer Sentenced to 60 Years in Deadly McGehee ShootingMcGehee, Arkansas — June 9, 2026 — Prosecuting Attorney Frank S...
06/10/2026

Murderer Sentenced to 60 Years in Deadly McGehee Shooting
McGehee, Arkansas — June 9, 2026 — Prosecuting Attorney Frank Spain announced today that Johntavious Owens has been sentenced to a total of 720 months (60 years) in the Arkansas Department of Corrections following his conviction for the fatal shooting of Kevin Morgan in McGehee.
The case stems from an incident that occurred on Saturday, December 14, 2024, at approximately 12:53 a.m., when McGehee Police Department officers were dispatched to 806 North 3rd Street in response to reports of gunfire. While en route, officers were advised that an individual had been shot.
Upon arrival, officers observed multiple individuals gathered around a white Chevrolet Avalanche parked in the driveway. Inside the vehicle, officers found the victim, later identified as Kevin Morgan, suffering from a gunshot wound to the back of his head. The vehicle displayed multiple bullet holes consistent with gunfire directed into the rear of the vehicle. Morgan was pronounced deceased at the scene by emergency medical personnel.
Investigators recovered 20 spent shell casings from the scene. A report from the Arkansas State Crime Lab indicated that all shell casings were fired from the same gun and the Medical Examiner's report indicated that Kevin Morgan was killed by a single gunshot wound to the back of his head.
Video surveillance obtained from a nearby showed Owens and a witness walking towards the residence. The surveillance video also recorded the sounds of shots being fired and screams, and then showed the Defendant running from the scene.

An arrest warrant for Owens was issued on December 14, 2024, Owens was subsequently apprehended on February 19, 2025, in Oklahoma City by the United States Marshals Service following a brief foot pursuit. He waived extradition and was returned to McGehee on March 7, 2025.
Owens made his first court appearance on March 10, 2025, where Judge Crew Puryear set a $750,000 secured bond.
On May 26, 2026, Owens entered a guilty plea to Second Degree Murder and Terroristic Act and requested that a jury determine his sentence.
On June 9, 2026, a sentencing hearing was held before Circuit Judge Robert Gibson. Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Kelley Fortenberry questioned the witnesses who were present in the vehicle at the time of Mr. Morgan’s murder, as well as members of Kevin Morgan’s family, regarding the impact of his death.
Owens took the stand and testified during the sentencing hearing. After being questioned by Prosecuting Attorney Spain, he admitted that although not trying to kill Kevin Morgan, he was trying to kill another individual in the vehicle. At the conclusion of the presentation of evidence, the defendant's attorney, Eugene Clifford, requested that the jury sentence Owens to 15 years on the murder charge and a minimum sentence on the fi***rm enhancements.
After deliberation, the jury returned a sentence of 30 years in Arkansas Department of Correction and a $15,000 fine on the count of Murder in the Second Degree, and a consecutive 15-year enhancement for use of a fi***rm in the commission of the offense, and 20 years in prison and a $15,000 for the count of Terroristic Act, with an additional 15-year enhancement for use of a fi***rm in the commission of the offense.
Judge Gibson entered a Sentencing Order, a total sentence of 720 months (60 years) in the Arkansas Department of Corrections.
“This sentence holds the defendant accountable for a senseless and violent act that took the life of Kevin Morgan and forever impacted his family and community, The jury's verdict sends a clear message that gun violence will not be tolerated in Desha County.” said Prosecuting Attorney Spain. “We remain committed to seeking justice for victims and ensuring those responsible for violent crimes are held accountable.”
The Tenth Judicial District Prosecutor's Office thanks the jury for their efforts and acknowledges the work of the McGehee Police Department and the Arkansas State Police in bringing this defendant to justice.

05/08/2026

Please join us in welcoming Sara Sexton and Tracie Doshier to the Tenth Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney’s Office as our new Victim Witness Coordinators.

Sara and Tracie will play an important role in supporting victims throughout the criminal justice process by providing guidance, resources, and communication every step of the way. Their compassion, professionalism, and dedication to serving our communities will be a tremendous asset to our office and the citizens of the Tenth Judicial District.

We are excited to have them on our team and look forward to the positive impact they will make. Welcome, Sara and Tracie!

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506 S. Main Street
Monticello, AR
71655

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