Latest news with #Speaks
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Second civil suit involving sex offender at Greenwood daycare resolved
GREENWOOD, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — The second of two lawsuits involving a convicted sex offender from Hackett and a Greenwood preschool has been dismissed, according to court documents. Jamie Speaks, 56, was convicted of second-degree sexual assault on April 14 and sentenced to 18 years in the Arkansas Department of Corrections with 12 years suspended. The Arkansas Crime Information Center's Sex Offender Registry database shows Speaks is a level two sex offender. Court documents say Speaks sexually assaulted a child at a daycare when they were two years old. In addition to Speaks' criminal case, he was named in two civil lawsuits against Miss Tina's Preschool in Greenwood that were filed in December 2023 and January 2024. However, both have been resolved, one in January and the other in May. The lawsuits accused the preschool of knowingly allowing a convicted child predator to be around children at the school, which reportedly led to long-term sexual abuse. WATCH: Video shows inmate's attack on Sebastian County Sheriff's deputies Speaks was accused of forcefully and intentionally 'making harmful physical sexual contact' with minors who were at Miss Tina's. The lawsuits said Speaks was charged in 1993 with molesting a seven-year-old who was in his care and his wife at their at-home daycare. His wife closed the daycare in 1994 after the incident and was later hired at Miss Tina's, according to the lawsuit. Tina Skaggs, the owner of the preschool, allegedly knew of Speaks' criminal history when she hired his wife and allowed him to spend time at the preschool despite his convictions and sex offender status, the lawsuit said. In the lawsuit, Skaggs denied the assertion that Speaks was 'frequently and consistently present' during the time of his wife's employment at the preschool. She also denied being aware that Speaks was left unsupervised with children and taking them into the bathroom. The unresolved lawsuit was set to go to trial on August 11 before it was dismissed on May 21. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Yahoo
Sebastian County sex offender gets 18 years for sexually assaulting child
GREENWOOD, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — A Sebastian County sex offender was sentenced to 18 years in prison on Monday for sexually assaulting a child, according to court documents. Jamie Speaks, 56, pleaded guilty to a second-degree sexual assault charge. In addition to his sentence, Speaks also received a 12-year suspended sentence. Speaks received credit for 227 days served in the Sebastian County Detention Center. His trial was set to begin on May 19, however, a filing on April 11 said a plea hearing was scheduled for Monday. The Arkansas Crime Information Center's Sex Offender Registry database shows Speaks is a level two sex offender. A probable cause affidavit filed on July 8 said GPD received a report from the parents of a 16-year-old on May 26, 2022, about a sexual assault. The victim reportedly disclosed to a counselor that she was sexually abused by Speaks at a daycare when she was around two years old. Fort Smith double homicide suspect set to appear in court this week She told interviewers Speaks would come into the daycare she attended while his wife worked in the kitchen. Speaks would take her by the hand into the bathroom, where he would sexually abuse her. The girl said she had never told anyone about the abuse until she was in counseling at age 16. Before Speaks was arrested, he was named in two civil lawsuits against Miss Tina's Preschool in Greenwood that were filed in December 2023 and January 2024. However, one of those lawsuits was resolved in January 2025. The lawsuits accuse the preschool of knowingly allowing a convicted child predator to be around children at the school, which reportedly led to long-term sexual abuse. Speaks is accused of forcefully and intentionally 'making harmful physical sexual contact' with minors who were at Miss Tina's. The lawsuits say Speaks was charged in 1993 with molesting a seven-year-old who was in his care and his wife at their at-home daycare. His wife closed the daycare in 1994 after the incident and was later hired at Miss Tina's, according to the lawsuit. Fort Smith holding special election in May for city sales tax reauthorization, reallocation Tina Skaggs, the owner of the preschool, allegedly knew of Speaks' criminal history when she hired his wife and allowed him to spend time at the preschool despite his convictions and sex offender status. In the lawsuit, Skaggs denied the assertion that Speaks was 'frequently and consistently present' during the time of his wife's employment at the preschool. She also denied being aware that Speaks was left unsupervised with children and taking them into the bathroom. The unresolved lawsuit is set to go to trial on August 11. Court documents say Speaks pleaded guilty to sexual assault and sexual indecency with a child charges in June 2012. As part of his sentence, Speaks has been ordered to have no contact with the victim and continue his sex offender registration. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Marcellus Speaks returns to Provine High as head football coach
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Marcellus Speaks has returned to Provine High School in Jackson to become the new head football coach for the Provine Rams. Speaks is a former standout athlete and a 2004 graduate of Provine. During his time as an athlete for the school, Speaks was a team captain and earned First-Team All-Metro honors, along with Defensive Player of the Game recognition in the Bernard Blackwell All-Star Game. Hamer Morgan named Clinton's new head football coach He went on to play collegiate football at Delta State University and Jackson State University, where he helped lead JSU to a SWAC Championship and was named Defensive Player of the Year in 2008. Speaks' coaching career includes time as Defensive Backs Coach at Itawamba Community College (2019), Defensive Coordinator at Provine (2014-2017), and Head Coach at Provine (2017-2018). 'We are thrilled to welcome Coach Speaks back to Provine,' said Roderick Smith, principal of Provine High School. 'His dedication to excellence, combined with his personal connection to the school, will be a tremendous asset to our scholar-athletes.' Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Yahoo
First civil suit involving sex offender at Greenwood daycare resolved, criminal case continues
GREENWOOD, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — A Hackett man accused of sexually assaulting a minor at a Greenwood daycare has had one of two lawsuits he is named in resolved, according to court records. Jamie Speaks, 56, was arrested by Greenwood police on July 11, 2024, on a second-degree sexual assault charge. He has pleaded not guilty. Speaks is a level-two sex offender, according to the Arkansas Crime Information Center's Sex Offender Registry database. He is accused of sexually assaulting a minor when they were two years old. Speaks was named in two civil lawsuits, in addition to his criminal case. Greenwood police arrest sex offender accused of sexually assaulting minor at daycare The lawsuits, filed in December 2023 and January 2024, accuse Miss Tina's Preschool in Greenwood of knowingly allowing a convicted child predator to be around children at the school, which allegedly led to long-term sexual abuse. Speaks is accused of forcefully and intentionally 'making harmful physical sexual contact' with minors who were at Miss Tina's. The lawsuits say Speaks was charged in 1993 with molesting a seven-year-old who was in the care of him and his wife at their at-home daycare. His wife closed the daycare in 1994 after the incident and was later hired at Miss Tina's, according to the lawsuit. Tina Skaggs, the owner of the preschool, allegedly knew of Speaks' criminal history when she hired his wife and allowed him to spend time at the preschool despite his convictions and sex offender status. In the lawsuits, Skaggs denies the assertion that Speaks was 'frequently and consistently present' during the time of his wife's employment at the preschool. She also denies being aware that Speaks was left unsupervised with children and taking them into the bathroom. An order to dismiss the January 2024 lawsuit was filed in January. A five-day jury trial had been set to begin in September 2025. Sex offender pleads not guilty to sexually assaulting minor at Greenwood daycare 'Upon the Court having been advised that the instant case has fully and completely been resolved, this case is hereby dismissed with prejudice in its entirety,' the order said. The second lawsuit is set to go to trial in August. Speaks is being held in the Sebastian County Detention Center on a $100,000 bond. His criminal trial is scheduled to begin on May 19. He has been ordered to have no contact with the alleged victim or their family, if released on bond. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Mark Cuban's $400K Bet On Teen Founder Comes With An Unexpected Invitation: 'I Want My Daughters To Meet You, And Learn From You'
In an episode of the popular TV show 'Shark Tank', teenage entrepreneur Tania Speaks managed to secure a $400,000 investment from billionaire investor Mark Cuban. What Happened: Speaks, the founder of Tania Speaks Organic Beauty, delivered a compelling pitch on a 2024 episode of "Shark Tank." Her company focuses on skincare products, a venture she was inspired to start due to personal experiences with bullying over her thick eyebrows. As per the report by CNBC, Speaks wanted $400,000 for a 10% investment in her company, and Cuban offered the money for a 20% stake. He also asked her to meet his daughters to discuss entrepreneurship. Don't Miss: Deloitte's fastest-growing software company partners with Amazon, Walmart & Target – They call it the 'Biggest Disruption To IP Since Disney' and their funding window is closing . "I want my daughters to meet you, and I want them to learn from you. Maybe you'll even learn something from them," Cuban said. Tania agreed to meet them but countered with a 15% stake for the same amount. The celebrity investor accepted her offer. This emotional exchange underscored Cuban's faith in Speaks as an entrepreneur, even though he doesn't have prior experience in the skincare industry. Cuban also said, "I saw my daughters — and my son, for that matter — in her. If I can get her to connect to my kids, that's more important than the money involved." Trending: Here's what Americans think you need to be considered wealthy. Why It Matters: This isn't the first time Cuban has made an investment based on emotional factors. He previously invested in 15-year-old Trey Brown's clothing brand Spergo, showcasing his dedication to nurturing young entrepreneurs. These investments highlight Cuban's belief in the potential of young entrepreneurs and his willingness to support them, even in industries where he lacks experience. This could inspire more young entrepreneurs to step forward and pursue their dreams, knowing that there are successful businesspeople like Cuban who are willing to invest in their potential. Read Next: Built on the trusted network of Fortune 500 companies, These five entrepreneurs are worth $223 billion – UNLOCKED: 5 NEW TRADES EVERY WEEK. Click now to get top trade ideas daily, plus unlimited access to cutting-edge tools and strategies to gain an edge in the markets. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? This article Mark Cuban's $400K Bet On Teen Founder Comes With An Unexpected Invitation: 'I Want My Daughters To Meet You, And Learn From You' originally appeared on Sign in to access your portfolio
