Man charged with raping a victim while intoxicated

Paragould, Arkansas – A DNA test linked a man suspected of raping someone while intoxicated, leading Paragould police to make an arrest.

According to Captain Jason Elms, Jason Rowland, 21, was taken into custody on Wednesday, February 7th, on suspicion of rape stemming from an event that happened in 2022.

Officers were called to the Arkansas Methodist Medical Center on West Kingshighway on Tuesday, October 4, of that year, in response to a report of rape in the emergency department, according to an affidavit.

“The victim told officers that the potential defendant, Jason Rowland, had sex with them while they were intoxicated and did not consent to the act,” the report stated.

During a Tuesday, October 11, 2022, interview, Rowland made statements that implicated him. In addition, he consented to a DNA sample, which was forwarded to the Arkansas State Crime Lab for examination along with the sexual assault collection kit.

Police spoke with several witnesses who described the victim’s state of drunkenness on the night of the incident as part of their investigation.

On Tuesday, February 6, the results of the crime lab revealed Rowland’s involvement in the DNA profile discovered in the sexual assault kit, less than two years later. A day later, he was taken into custody.

Rowland was freed on Thursday, February 8, according to online records. Elms clarified that he was released on a $25,000 bond. There are no new court dates available.