BENTONVILLE -- A former Life Way Christian School teacher pleaded not guilty to charges accusing him of having a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old student and possessing nude photographs of the girl.
Richard Thomas Riley, 34, of Centerton is charged with sexual assault in the first degree and distributing, possessing or viewing matter depicting sexually explicit conduct involving a child, both felonies. He entered a not guilty plea Monday at his arraignment before Benton County Circuit Judge Brad Karren.
Riley is free on $50,000 bond. He was arrested Feb. 27.
Riley was fired from Life Way Christian, according to Luke Bowers, an administrator with the school. Riley worked for the school since 2013. He taught physical science and world history, primarily to freshmen and sophomores. He served in the military before joining Life Way and has a master's degree in education, Bowers said.
The case was referred to the Benton County Sheriff's Office's cyber crime division after a father reported he found sexually explicit messages and nude images from Riley's Facebook Messenger to his daughter on an iPad, according to the probable cause affidavit.
The girl was interviewed and said she sent nude photographs of herself to Riley, according to court documents. The girl said she had sex with Riley numerous times at his home, and she thought they were in an exclusive relationship.
A Sheriff's Office detective interviewed Riley, who admitted he sent nude photographs to the girl, but Riley denied the girl had been to his home.
Riley was interviewed a second time and admitted he had sex with the girl multiple times. Some of the encounters happened at his home, according to the probable cause affidavit. Riley also said he received nude photos from the girl.
Detectives also found love letters between Riley and the girl, according to court documents.
Detectives used a warrant to obtain Riley's and the girl's messages via Facebook Messenger, according to court documents.
An omnibus hearing is scheduled for 8 a.m. May 11.
Riley has been ordered not to have any contact with the girl.
Life Way Christian School, a ministry of First Baptist Church Centerton, started in 2000. It has about 575 students enrolled in preschool through grade 12.
NW News on 04/12/2016