BENTONVILLE — A former youth minister pleaded not guilty Monday to engaging in sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl.
Tyrone Atwater, 41, of Rogers is charged in connection with sexual assault in the first degree, a Class A felony punishable with a prison sentence ranging from six to 30 years. He entered the plea at an arraignment before Circuit Judge Jon Comstock.
Atwater was arrested Nov. 1.
Atwater was the youth minister at Open Door Baptist Church in Rogers, according to court documents.
Rogers police received a tip from the Arkansas State Police Crimes Against Children hot line involving allegations concerning Atwater and a teenage girl, according to a probable cause affidavit.
Police interviewed the girl, and she denied involvement with Atwater, according to court documents.
The girl’s mother asked police why they interviewed her daughter at school. When told, the mother said that was the second rumor she’d heard concerning the allegations, according to the affidavit.
The girl and her mother later returned to the Rogers Police Department, where the girl said the allegations were true, according to court documents.
The probable cause affidavit states the mother found text messages on the girl’s cellphone that confirmed the allegations.
Three incidents occurred according to the affidavit — at Atwater’s home, at the girl’s home and at a church lock-in.
An omnibus hearing is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Jan. 24.
Atwater was released from the Benton County Jail after posting a $20,000 bond.