BENTONVILLE -- A former teacher accused of sexually assaulting a student will stand trial, Benton County Circuit Judge Brad Karren ruled Thursday.
Richard Thomas Riley, 34, of Centerton is charged with sexual assault and distributing, possessing or viewing matter depicting sexually explicit conduct involving a child, both felonies. He has pleaded innocent to the charges. Riley, who was arrested Feb. 27, is free on $50,000 bond.
Riley is a former teacher at Life Way Christian School in Centerton. He's accused of having a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old student and having nude photographs of the girl.
Case proceedings were suspended because Sam Hall, Riley's attorney, requested a mental evaluation for him.
Riley appeared in court Thursday morning for a status hearing. The evaluation found Riley is fit to stand trial, and Hall said the defense will not contest the finding.
The case was referred to the Benton County sheriff's office after the girl's father said 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 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.
Riley told detectives he sent nude photographs to the girl and received photos from her, according to the affidavit. He said he had sex with her multiple times, sometimes at his home, according to the affidavit.
Riley has been ordered not to have any contact with the girl.
Luke Bowers, an administrator with Life Way, previously said the school fired Riley, who had worked there 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.
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.
State Desk on 07/16/2016