Former Gravette teacher pleads not guilty

Harry Almond
Harry Almond

— A former Gravette teacher pleaded not guilty Thursday to sexually assaulting a student last year.

Harry Don Almond, 62, of Bella Vista is charged with second-degree sexual assault, a Class B felony punishable with a prison sentence ranging from five to 20 years. Almond entered his plea at an arraignment before Circuit Judge Brad Karren. Almond was arrested Oct. 29 and is free on $30,000 bond.

A student who wanted to earn extra money agreed to help Almond move, according to a probable cause affidavit. Court documents don't indicate the student's age or gender.

The student arrived at Almond's home about 7:30 p.m. Oct. 26 and the two started to pack items for the move. The student later told police they went inside to take a break. They sat down on a small couch with the television on, and the student said the situation felt awkward, according to the police report.

Almond asked the student if he or she was "game." The student thought they were about to start to work again, but Almond exposed the student's stomach and went to unfasten his or her pants, the student told police. Almond touched the student in the crotch area and said,"You don't know what you're missing," according to a police report.

The student then left the house, according to court documents.

Police later recorded a telephone conversation between the student and Almond. In it, Almond said he touched the student's crotch area but said it wouldn't happen again, according to the probable cause affidavit. Almond urged the student not to say anything about the incident, the affidavit states.

Almond told police there was no sexual context to the interaction. He said he wanted to try to teach the student a lesson about what could happen at parties, according to court documents.

Almond resigned his position at Gravette High School last month, according to Superintendent Richard Page. Almond told police he taught at the high school for 25 years, according to court documents. State licensure records show Almond was certified to teach business technology, business education and middle school social studies at the Gravette School District.

Almond's next court appearance is 8:30 a.m. March 14.