A Jonesboro man is being held on a $75,000 bond after a judge found probable cause to charge him with sexually grooming a child younger than 14.
Tim Ohler, 60, was booked into the Craighead County Detention Center at approximately 9:12 a.m. Wednesday, August 5.
Ohler is charged with sexually grooming a child, a Class D felony under Arkansas law.
He is scheduled to appear in Craighead County Circuit Court September 30.
INVESTIGATION BEGAN IN MAY
According to a probable cause affidavit, Jonesboro police began investigating Ohler May 26 after a child younger than 14 reported sexually explicit conduct.
The child alleged that Ohler discussed sexual subjects and showed the child pornographic material.
Arkansas law makes sexually grooming a child a criminal offense. The law was amended in 2025 to include bribing or attempting to bribe a child as conduct that can be prosecuted under the statute. Arkansas General Assembly
RECORDED CONVERSATION PROVIDED TO POLICE
According to the affidavit, members of the child’s family confronted Ohler about the allegations and recorded the conversation.
Investigators reportedly received a copy of that recording.
Court documents state that Ohler denied most of the allegations during the conversation but made statements that investigators believed corroborated portions of the child’s account.
The affidavit states that Ohler acknowledged having a problem and agreed to seek treatment.
Those statements are allegations described in a probable cause affidavit and have not been proven during a trial.
OHLER DESCRIBED SITUATION AS MISUNDERSTANDING
During an interview with a Jonesboro police detective, Ohler reportedly described the situation as a misunderstanding.
According to the affidavit, Ohler told the detective that conversations involving sexual topics were initiated by the child through questions.
The defense will have an opportunity to challenge the allegations and evidence as the case proceeds through court.
JUDGE ISSUED ARREST WARRANT
Second Judicial Circuit Court Judge Scott Ellington found probable cause June 17 to charge Ohler with sexually grooming a child.
A bench warrant was issued for his arrest.
Ohler was taken into custody and booked into the Craighead County Detention Center August 5.
BOND AND RELEASE CONDITIONS
Ohler is being held on a $75,000 bond.
If released, he must have no contact with the child and must wear a GPS ankle monitor.
The case remains pending. A probable cause finding is not a determination of guilt.
Ohler is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
ArkansasRadio.com is withholding identifying information concerning the child.
CHARGE:
Sexually grooming a child — Class D felony
BOND:
$75,000
NEXT COURT APPEARANCE:
September 30 in Craighead County Circuit Court
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