Brian Brandolini avoided a second trial by pleading guilty Friday to raping a teenage girl.
Brandolini, 41, of Bentonville pleaded guilty to rape, a Class Y felony, which is punishable with a prison sentence ranging from 10 to 40 years or life imprisonment. The plea was under an agreement Terra Stephenson, deputy prosecutor from Washington County, reached with Brandolini's attorney Drew Miller.
A mistrial was declared last month after a jury could not reach a verdict in Brandolini's case. The second trial was scheduled to begin Sept. 10.
A 17-year-old girl and her mother went to the Bentonville Police Department on Aug. 8, 2012 and said Brandolini sexually abused the girl between 2005 and 2010, according to court documents. The girl and her mother testified at trial. The mother told juror Brandolini told her he was sorry for touching the girl and for making her touch him.
Brandolini testified during the trial and denied touching the girl in a sexual manner.
However, Brandolini did admit Friday morining to raping the teen in 2009.
Circuit Judge Brad Karren accepted the plea agreement and Brandolini's guilty plea.
Brandolini was sentenced to 20 years in the Arkansas Department of Correction. He will have to serve at least 14 years before he is eligible for parole.
He will be required to register as a sex offender. He must also enroll in the prison's sex offender treatment program.