BENTONVILLE -- A judge, on Oct. 10, set a March jury trial for a former Gravette teacher accused of sexually assaulting two boys.
Harry Don Almond, 63, of Bella Vista, is charged with two counts of sexual assault in the second degree, a Class B felony. He faces from five to 20 years in prison on each of the charges if convicted.
He previously pleaded not guilty. Almond was in court Oct. 10, and Circuit Judge Brad Karren scheduled his jury trial to begin March 28. A pretrial hearing is set for 8:30 a.m. March 27.
Almond was arrested Oct. 27. He is free on $30,000 bond.
A student who wanted to earn money agreed to help Almond move and went to his home Oct. 26, according to a probable cause affidavit. The student later told police they took a break and were sitting on a couch when Almond exposed the student's stomach and went to unfasten his pants. The student told police Almond touched him, according to court documents.
Police later recorded a telephone conversation between the student and Almond, who admitted touching the student's crotch but urged the student not to say anything about it, the affidavit states.
Almond told police he wanted to try to teach the student a lesson about what could happen at parties, according to court documents.
Police learned of the second boy while investigating the case.
Almond resigned his position at Gravette High School.
General News on 10/19/2016