MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- A 72-year-old man in Paragould, Arkansas pled guilty to four counts of rape and will likely spend the rest of his life behind bars. The Office of State Prosecuting Attorney Sonia F. Hagood announced on Tuesday that John Paul Barron pled guilty to the crimes and was sentenced to 35 years in prison on each count. John Paul Barron (Courtesy of the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney Sonia F. Haygood) “This verdict should send a message, once again, that we will never stop fighting to protect rapevictims in Greene County and the entire Second Judicial District,” Said Greene County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Adam Butler. “The plea results in what is effectively a life sentence given the Defendant’s age.” Man facing 3 counts of attempted murder released without bond Reports say the Greene County Sheriff's Office received a report of rape from a minor victim on January 12, 2024. The victim informed them that John Barron had touched her inappropriately multiple times over the course of six years, beginning when she was just 11 years old. Barron was arrested on March 4, 2024. After he was arrested, reports say another victim came forward to report similar acts that Barron committed against her under similar circumstances.