Ex-Arkansas Teacher Pleads No Contest to Sex Assault

Reagan Danielle Gray, a former Arkansas teacher and church volunteer, pleaded no contest to second-degree sexual assault of a 15-year-old boy she met at Immanuel Baptist Church in Little Rock. The abuse began in 2020, continued into the summer of 2021, and included repeated oral sex and daily nude photo exchanges via Snapchat, often occurring in Gray's car or apartment. Gray was initially charged with first- and fourth-degree sexual assault, but accepted a plea deal for the lesser charge. She was sentenced to six years of probation, fined $1,000, ordered to register as a sex offender, submit a DNA sample, and comply with a no-contact order for the victim. The case resulted in Gray's dismissal from Sylvan Hills Middle School and the resignation of the church's pastor, Steven Smith, amid criticism of the church's response. Authorities began further investigation after discovering Gray's continued contact with the victim despite warnings.