Omari Artyce Coats became the talk of Grant County last summer when a social media BOLO was circulating from concerned citizens: "What is going on the corner of Grant 691???? Police everywhere and not allowing ppl to get to their homes on 691. Not allowing ppl to leave either.”
A few days later the Grant County Sheriff's office released a statement about what happened in that area. "On July Ist, 2024, the Grant County Sherif's Office (GCSO) responded to Grant 69 for a physical/ sexual
assault. MEMs transported the victim to UAMS for evaluation and treatment.
Initially, the suspect was reported to still be in a house, and deputies surrounded the house and initiated
callout procedures. After further investigation, it was found the suspect had already fled the area."
Coats faced several criminal charges including rape. This week, the Reckoning reports that Coats, 23, reached a plea agreement with Grant County Prosecuting Attorney Teresa Howell.
Coats is now on probation.
Howell originally charged Coats, then 22 years old, with rape, a Class Y felony; residential burglary, a Class B felony; theft of property, a Class D felony; and third degree domestic battery, a Class A misdemeanor.
Court documents show that earlier this year Coats' legal counsel sought to have his bond reduced.
In a note by Circuit Court Judge Stephen Shirron, it mentions that Coats "allegedly contacted vict. by ph & writing from jail."
The motion was denied to reduce his bond. A jury trial was set for March 13, 2025. That jury trial never occurred because of the plea agreement.
Coats' Criminal History
The Reckoning investigated Coats last year.
In November 2022, Coats was arrested in Saline County.
In December 2022, he was charged with 3rd degree assault, a Class A misdemeanor; 3rd degree battery, a Class A misdemeanor; and 1st Degree criminal mischief, a Class A misdemeanor. These offenses occurred in June 2022.
Read our previous story about Coats below.
Suzi Parker
