BENTONVILLE — A circuit judge Monday called Ricky Carson Sr.’s actions one of the worst cases of sexual assault she had ever seen.
Circuit Judge Robin Green handed down the maximum penalty, sentencing Carson to 20 years on each of two sexual assault counts. She ordered the sentences to be served consecutively — a total of 40 years in the Arkansas Department of Correction.
Carson, 56, of Bentonville pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault in the second degree, a Class B felony, in July. He faced from five to 20 years in prison on each count.
Carson was arrested Feb. 17.
His plea was without the benefit of an agreement, so Carson’s punishment rested with Green on Monday.
Carson was a coach at Pathfinders in Cave Springs and was responsible for supervising and caring for disabled individuals, according to court documents. Carson admitted to inappropriately touching a 20-year-old woman under his supervision, according to court documents.
The girl’s mother provided police with documentation showing her daughter had been diagnosed with Williams Syndrome and autism and that she has a mental age of a 3- to 5-year-old, according to court documents.
Police obtained a video of Carson sexually assaulting the woman on two occasions at Pathfinders, according to court documents. Stuart Cearley, chief deputy prosecutor, introduced the video.
Green watched the video during the hearing and heard from the girl’s parents, who presented victim impact letters to the court.
“I tried my hardest to protect her from the world and from people who prey upon the sick and the weak,” the mother said.
Carson admitted to touching the woman’s back, legs and chest, but denied he was seeking sexual gratification, according to a pre-sentencing report.
Green said she didn’t feel Carson had fully taken responsibility for his actions.
“This is one of the worst cases of sexual assault I’ve ever seen,” Green said.
Carson will be required to register as a sex offender and must pay $2,120 in court costs.
Green also denied a request from Scott McElveen, deputy public defender, to allow Carson to remain free on a transport bond.
“You had ample opportunity to get your affairs in order,” Green told Carson.