Man Sentenced To 25 Years For Rape

BENTONVILLE — Antonio McElroy was sentenced to 25 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to rape Friday morning in Benton County Circuit Court.

McElroy, 29, of Rogers was accused of raping a child younger than 14 from 2009 to 2011. Under a plea agreement, McElroy pleaded guilty to one count of rape.

Circuit Judge Brad Karren sentenced McElroy to 25 years in prison with 10 years suspended. He was ordered to have no unsupervised contact with minors and must register as a sex offender when he is released from prison.

After his sentencing, McElroy turned to the child and apologized.

“I’ve already said I’m sorry for the pain that I caused you,” he said. “I understand you will go through emotional turmoil. I pray you get the help you need to get through this.”

Karren said details of the case was a difficult one to read. He said he felt the sentence was appropriate and similar to one that a Benton County jury handed down in a recent juvenile rape case.

“Had you tried this case, I don’t believe you would have received a lenient sentence,” Karren said.

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