Gravette Man Sentenced To 15 Years For Sexually Assaulting Girl

Jackson

Jackson

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

— She was not there to face her abuser, but a 9-year-old girl's words filled the courtroom Monday when he pleaded guilty to the crime.

Alvin John Jackson, 33, of Gravette pleaded guilty to sexual assault in the first degree, a Class A felony. He originally was charged with rape, a Class Y felony, but agreed to plead guilty to the lesser charge under a plea agreement attorney Mike Roberson reached with Stuart Cearley, chief deputy prosecutor.

Jackson was arrested March 7, 2013. The Benton County Sheriff's Office received a report that month from the Crimes Against Children Hotline, according to court documents. The report concerned the rape of a 9-year-old girl, according to court documents.

The girl was interviewed at the Children's Advocacy Center of Benton County. She described details of being abused by Jackson. The girl said the abuse began when she was 4, according to an affidavit of probable cause.

Cearley said the abuse happened over a period of several years.

Jackson affirmed in court that the allegations against him were true.

The girl was not in court, but her mother was. Cearley said the girl wanted him to read a letter to the court. The girl's mother also wanted to address the court.

"You are a bad, bad person and I hope they take you seven countries away with guards so you can't find me," Cearley read from the girl's statement.

Jackson, dressed in white and black jail attire, did not react to the girl's letter.

The mother then addressed the courtroom.

"Standing here today in front of Judge Green, the prosecutors, attorneys and others, I am still hurt, lost, confused and angry as I was in March 2013," the girl's mother said. "Our lives will forever be changed because of the selfish decisions of one person in this courtroom."

Circuit Judge Robin Green accepted the plea agreement and Jackson's guilty plea.

Jackson was sentenced to 15 years in the Arkansas Department of Correction.

Cearley told Green that it is likely Jackson will have to serve every day of the sentence because Jackson was convicted of a similar offense in California.

Jackson received 390 days of jail credit for the time he spent in custody awaiting trial. He must pay $2,120 in court costs and he will be required to register as a sex offender.

Green ordered Jackson not to have any contact with the victim or any unsupervised contact with any minors.

"It does appear that you pose a threat to minor children," Green said to Jackson.

Jackson declined an opportunity to address the court when Green gave him a chance to speak.

NW News on 04/01/2014