JONESBORO, Ark. (KAIT) - A Paragould school paraprofessional is being held on a $75,000 bond after Jonesboro police arrested him Monday on suspicion of child pornography.

According to the Jonesboro Police Department, Craighead County District Court Judge Tommy Fowler found probable cause Wednesday, May 11, to charge 23-year-old Pierre Isiah Dowling with computer child pornography. Fowler also ordered Dowling to have no contact with the victim.

Jonesboro police said the victim contacted a detective with the department’s Internet Crimes Against Children Division about a man who sent her nude images through social media in November.

“The victim stated the content turned sexual shortly after accepting a friend request,” JPD stated.

According to the affidavit, the 16-year-old victim said “Dowling was a teacher at Paragould Middle School and a strength and conditioning coach for the high school.”

According to the Paragould School District’s website, Dowling is employed as a special education resource aide.

“The victim stated that after she found out that he was an adult and a teacher, she told him that and he stated that she could not tell anyone,” the court documents stated.

Investigators stated Dowling’s attention did not stop online.

“The juvenile stated that Dowling came to one of her softball games and stood behind the dugout trying to get her attention to the point that one of her teammates asked her who the guy was trying to get her attention,” Detective Bill Brown stated.

It was after this incident the victim reported Dowling to police.

After she blocked him on Instagram, the court documents stated Dowling started to send her Snapchats.

The victim took screenshots of the conversation and photos, which Brown said included Dowling’s face and bare chest laying in bed.

According to the affidavit, Dowling’s messages included suggestive comments, including “If I happened to be your coach what would happen? You got nice legs. I’d make you earn your spot. You fine and athletic. I want to turn yo [redacted] into a freak.”

In another Snapchat, the court documents said Dowling sent the victim a picture of himself “with the cover raised up and his penis exposed.”

The victim showed the message to her school resource officer who advised her to contact Detective Brown with the information.

School District Response

Superintendent Nick Jankoviak stated in a Tuesday release that the district was notified on May 9 that a classified employee had been arrested.

“The employee has been working for the district as a paraprofessional for one year,” Jankoviak said.

He urged parents to monitor their children’s social media activity and know who their children are communicating with on social media sites.

“The district will continue to hold student and staff safety as our top priority,” he said.

On May 9, 2022, the Paragould School District was notified by law enforcement that a classified employee was arrested on charges involving computer child pornography. The employee has been working for the District as a paraprofessional for one year. Paragould School Officials encourage parents to monitor their children’s social media activity and know who their children are communicating with on social media sites. The District will continue to hold student and staff safety as our top priority.

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