BENTONVILLE — A Bentonville man was sentenced to eight years in prison after admitting to sexually abusing a 13-year-old girl and selling prescription drugs to a confidential informant.
Rickey Lee Burnette, 45, pleaded guilty Tuesday morning to sexual assault in the second degree and delivery of a controlled substance. He pleaded guilty under an agreement his attorney Tom Smith reached with Deputy Prosecutor Stephanie McLemore.
Burnette was arrested inconnection with the sexual offense April 17, according to court documents.
According to court documents, the girl was spending the night at Burnette’s home when he fondled her and solicited sex from the teen. The girl then sent a text message to her mother who came to get her and reported Burnette to the police, the affidavit states.
Bentonville police arrested Burnette again April 30, after he sold eight Dilaudid pills to a confidential informant for $200, according to court documents. Dilaudid is a narcotic analgesic prescribed for the relief of moderate to severe pain.
Circuit Judge Robin Green accepted the plea agreement and Burnette’s guilty plea.
Green followed the sentencing recommendation and ordered Burnette to serve eight years in the Arkansas Department of Correction. After his release from prison, Burnette must abide by a suspended-sentence agreement for 12 years.
Burnette must pay $1,795 in court-associated costs, register as a sex offender and must complete the prison’s sex offender treatment program.
Burnette was also ordered not to have any contact with the victim.