A Stone County resident faces serious felony charges following his arrest on New Year’s Eve in connection with a lengthy investigation into alleged sexual abuse of minors spanning more than a decade.
Jason William Gude, 37, of Fox, Arkansas, was taken into custody December 31, 2024, following an extensive investigation by the White County Sheriff’s Office. Gude has been charged in White County Circuit Court with four counts of rape and two counts of second-degree sexual assault.
According to court documents, the charges stem from allegations that Gude sexually abused two minors who were between the ages of 6 and 13 years old at the time of the alleged incidents. The alleged abuse occurred between 2010 and 2021 at residences in both Beebe and Searcy, where Gude served as the minors’ guardian.
The case first came to light earlier in 2022 when allegations surfaced, prompting an investigation by White County law enforcement. According to the affidavit written by Detective Misty Goss of the White County Sheriff’s Office, one of the alleged victims was interviewed at the Child Safety Center of White County on March 18, 2022 and said there had been “multiple instances” of Gude touching her private area, “penetrative sex” and performing a sexual act over a period of seven years. She reportedly said that when she was a little bit older “Gude cried and apologized to her for the offenses and stated that he did not know what he was doing was wrong until he had his own daughter.”
The other alleged victim reportedly was interviewed at the sheriff’s office March 24, 2022 and made similar statements about Gude touching her “as well as one incident of open mouth kissing.” “Multiple incidents” reportedly occurred from elementary school to middle school.
When questioned during the initial investigation, Gude denied all allegations against him. A warrant was subsequently issued in December of 2022.
Gude remains in custody at the White County Detention Center, where he is being held on a $350,000 bond. His first court appearance is scheduled for February 4, where he will face the multiple felony charges.
The investigation highlights the ongoing efforts of White County law enforcement to address allegations of child sexual abuse, particularly in cases involving extended periods of alleged criminal activity.
