BENTONVILLE -- A Mountain Home man was sentenced to 17 years in prison after he admitted he sexually assaulted a 13-year-old girl.
Waylon Lee Coker, 32, pleaded guilty Monday to first-degree sexual assault, a Class A felony punishable with a prison sentence ranging from six to 30 years. The plea came under an agreement that Carly Marshall, deputy prosecutor, reached with Steven Kay, Coker's attorney.
Coker was arrested Oct. 17. The girl's mother reported to a Benton County sheriff's deputy that Coker had given her daughter alcohol and the girl was sexually assaulted after she passed out, according to court documents.
The girl was interviewed at the Children's Advocacy Center of Benton County, according to a probable cause affidavit. She reported Coker had given her a cup of cocoa, but it tasted more like alcohol and she passed out after drinking it, the affidavit states.
Coker was interviewed by detectives and he admitted giving the girl alcohol. He also admitted to sexually assaulting the girl while she was sleeping, according to the probable cause affidavit.
Marshall read a statement on behalf of the victim.
"My life had been almost like a living Hell for my family and me," Marshall read. "Now I am trying to move forward and live a positive, productive life where we look to the future and not so much on the damage done."
Circuit Judge Brad Karren accepted the plea agreement and Coker's guilty plea.
Coker was sentenced to 17 years in the Arkansas Department of Correction. He must serve at least four years before he will be eligible for parole. He must abide by a suspended sentence agreement for 13 years after his release from prison. Coker will be required to register as a sex offender and must pay $1,670 in court costs.
NW News on 06/23/2015