BENTONVILLE -- A Gravette man was sentenced to 30 years in prison Dec. 5 after admitting to raping and sexually assaulting two children.
Matthew Adam Arnold, 27, pleaded guilty to rape, a Class Y felony; and second-degree sexual assault, a Class B felony. The plea was reached under an agreement Carrie Dobbs, deputy prosecutor, reached with Arnold's attorney Scott McElveen.
Arnold was arrested June 7.
Arnold's case was investigated by Benton County Sheriff's Office detectives. The investigation concerned Arnold being accused of sexually abusing 11- and 9-year-old girls, according to a probable cause affidavit.
Both girls said Arnold inappropriately touched them, according to the affidavit. The girls were interviewed at the Children's Advocacy Center of Benton County. The older girl also said Arnold tried to convince her to send him nude photographs, but she refused.
Arnold was interviewed by detectives Joe Adams and Jeff Simpson. Arnold told them he was sexually abused as a child and had sexual urges toward children.
Arnold said he accidentally touched the older girl, but he admitted he engaged in sexual acts with the younger girl. Arnold said he stopped because he knew what he was doing was wrong, according to the affidavit.
Benton County Circuit Judge Robin Green accepted the plea agreement and Arnold's guilty pleas. Green sentenced Arnold to 30 years in the Arkansas Department of Correction. He must also abide by a suspended sentence agreement for 20 years.
He'll be required to register as a sex offender and must pay $1,920 in court costs. He received 182 days of jail credit for the time he spent in the Benton County Jail awaiting trial.
General News on 12/14/2016