A Mountain Home nurse practitioner is facing multiple felony and misdemeanor charges after four women reported inappropriate conduct during medical visits, according to an information filing submitted Tuesday in Baxter County Circuit Court.
Prosecutors have charged Joseph Riley Steves, 37, with four counts of third‑degree sexual assault, a Class C felony, and four counts of harassment, a Class A misdemeanor.
The filing states Steves “did unlawfully and feloniously…use his position of trust or authority” during an exam on February 28, 2026.
According to the document, an 18‑year‑old patient reported that Steves had her remove her clothing beyond what was necessary for an injection and touched her in ways that made her uncomfortable.
She told investigators he “pulled her pants down to her ankles” and handled her legs and injection site inappropriately.
Additional women later came forward. One patient reported that Steves placed his hands inside her waistband during an exam, while another said he put a stethoscope down her shirt without consent during her child’s appointment.
Victim #4 stated he placed the stethoscope “on her left middle breast, then her right middle breast, and then between both.”
Steves posted bond of $60,000 and is scheduled to appear in court April 13th.
The case is being prosecuted by the 14th Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
