YELLVILLE, Ark. — Three Marion County residents have been arrested in connection with an investigation involving multiple felony allegations, according to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Gregg Alexander reported the arrests of:
- Steven M. Manson, 35
- Steven L. Manson, 56
- Dezerae S. Manson, 19
All three, of Yellville, face charges stemming from an incident reported March 7, 2026, at a residence on Marion County Road 8054.
According to the sheriff’s office, a female victim reported she had been assaulted at the residence. The victim was later interviewed by investigators and participated in a forensic interview at a child advocacy center, where the allegations were reaffirmed. She was also taken to Baxter Health for treatment and a medical examination.
Investigators executed a search warrant at the residence March 13 and collected items of potential evidence, which were submitted to the Arkansas State Crime Lab for analysis.
Charges differ by defendant
Court affidavits indicate the charges against the three defendants stem from the same reported incident, with each individual facing charges based on their alleged involvement.
Steven M. Manson, 35, is charged with:
- Rape, a Class Y felony
- Incest, a Class C felony
- Sexual assault in the second degree, a Class B felony
- Coercion, a Class A misdemeanor
- Habitual offender enhancement
Authorities state he is a Level II registered sex offender and has prior felony convictions. Court records show he was already on bond in Marion County in a separate case involving charges of rape and first-degree terroristic threatening involving a minor.
Steven L. Manson, 56, is charged with:
- Conduct constituting conspiracy, a Class A felony
- Terroristic threatening, a Class D felony
- Coercion, a Class A misdemeanor
According to court affidavits, those charges are tied to his alleged actions connected to the same incident.
Dezerae S. Manson, 19, is charged with:
- Rape, a Class Y felony
- Sexual assault in the second degree, a Class B felony
- Coercion, a Class A misdemeanor
Bond and court proceedings
According to the sheriff’s office, bond was set at:
- $500,000 for Steven M. Manson
- $50,000 for Steven L. Manson
- $25,000 for Dezerae S. Manson
However, separate court records show bond for Steven M. Manson was later revoked in multiple pending felony cases. In an order signed March 17, Circuit Judge Andrew S. Bailey ordered him held without bond pending further proceedings, with a hearing scheduled for March 31, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
Court filings also show prosecutors have moved to consolidate multiple felony cases against Steven M. Manson, stating the allegations involve the same victim and are part of a series of connected incidents occurring in late November and early December 2025.
Those filings include additional charges such as kidnapping, possession of a firearm by certain persons and terroristic threatening in a related case.
A separate misdemeanor case filed March 13 also charges Steven M. Manson with coercion in connection with the March 7 incident.
Multiple hearings in the cases are scheduled in the coming weeks and months in Marion County Circuit Court.
All charges are allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
