Landingham Sentenced On Rape Charge

BENTONVILLE — John Scott Landingham admitted Monday to raping a 17-year-old girl while he was a state prisoner, but free as part of a furlough program.

Landingham, 42, pleaded guilty to rape, a Class Y felony. He pleaded guilty under an agreement his attorney Sarah Ashley, a deputy public defender, reached with Stephanie McLemore, a deputy prosecutor. Circuit Judge Robin Green accepted the plea agreement.

Landingham’s jury trial was slated to begin next week.

The victim reported she was raped by Landingham on June 12, 2011. The girl, who was described as mentally challenged, said she rode with Landingham on some errands and he raped her while the two were together, according to court records.

A DNA sample was found in the girl’s underwear, according to court records. Sgt. Dennis Schumacher, an investigator with the Benton County Sheriff ’s Office, obtained a sample of Landingham’s DNA. A report from the Arkansas Crime Lab said samples collected from the girl’s underwear contained DNA that matched the DNA from oral swabs collected from Landingham, according to court documents.

Landingham was being held in the Washington County Detention Center and was in a furlough program. He was able to check out of jail on weekends and spend time at his mother’s house, Schumacher said previously.

The victim was in court Monday, but did not speak.

“I made the decision to extend a plea offer in this case in an effort to protect the victim from the trial process,” McLemore said. “She has been diagnosed with a mental disease and a mental defect. Testifying about very personal, traumatic details is difficult for anyone, but it was going to be especially difficult for this young woman.”

McLemore said the victim was pleased with Landingham’s guilty plea.

Landingham was sentenced to 2o years in the Arkansas Department of Correction. He also was given a 20-year suspended sentence that begins after his release from prison. Green ordered Landingham to pay $870 in court associated costs.

Landingham will have to serve the entire 20-year sentence because of a prior violent offense that will make the current sentence ineligible for parole, according to McLemore.

Court documents show Landingham pleaded guilty in August 2003 to domestic battery in the third degree, domestic battery in the first degree, two counts of endangering the welfare of a minor in the second degree and aggravated assault on a family or household member. He also was charged as a habitual offender and sentenced to 45 years in prison. Landingham admitted to striking his wife with a croquet mallet, broom handle and other objects. He also admitted to cutting her with a butcher knife.

The Benton County Sheriff’s Office and the Benton County prosecuting attorney were notified in November 2007 Landingham was eligible for a meritorious furlough release status for a three-day period twice every six months. Prosecutor Van Stone objected to Landingham’s being a participant in the furlough program.

“John Landingham has a long history of domestic violence,” Stone wrote in a response. “In 2002, he beat the hell out of his wife, cutting her with a butcher knife, bruising nearly every part of her body and face.” Stone wrote that Landingham attacked his wife again while he was free on bond. Stone also said Landingham had multiple arrests and prior convictions for rape, sexual abuse, residential burglary and battery.

“It is absurd that he would be even considered for a furlough,” Stone wrote. “He is a dangerous, violent, individual who received a 45-year sentence for a reason. I strongly object to his release on furlough or otherwise.”

Stone objected again in March 2011 when he received another notice Landingham was eligible for a meritorious furlough release.

“I object to this one given the nature of this crime and the type of offense,” Stone wrote.