Siloam Springs Man Sentenced To 23 Years In Prison

Luper
Luper

BENTONVILLE -- A Siloam Springs man was sentenced to 23 years in prison Thursday for raping a girl.

A jury found Mark Luper, 47, guilty of rape. The jury also found Luper not guilty of sexual assault in the second degree that involved another girl.

The jury later recommended Luper be sentenced to 23 years in prison. Circuit Judge Robin Green followed the recommendation and sentenced Luper to prison.

Luper was arrested June 14, 2012. A 15-year-old girl told her mother Luper molested her. A 13-year-old girl also reported Luper inappropriately touched hers.

The older girl, now 17, told jurors Luper repeatedly sexually abused her. The other girl, now 15, said Luper touched her inappropriately.

The jury found Luper guilty of raping the older girl. He was found not guilty of sexually assaulting the younger girl.

Prosecutors presented testimony from two other women who said Luper sexually abused them as children. The cases were investigated, but Luper was never arrested in connection with the allegations.

The women also said they "friended" Luper on Facebook a few years ago. One said she communicated with one of the teens through Facebook on Tuesday night.

Luper denied molesting any children.

The 17-year-old said during sentencing she's in counseling. She was the only witness prosecutors presented during sentencing.

Luper took the stand during sentencing and proclaimed his innocence. He told jurors about his father's suicide and the death of one of his sons.

Luper's family members also testified on his behalf.

His son, Levi, told jurors his father was a good parent who always tried to protect his family. Levi Luper, an Air Force airman dressed in his uniform, cried as he talked about his father.

Joyce Luper, who uses a wheelchair, testified on her son's behalf. She believes her son's innocence.

"Mark has not done this," Joyce Luper said. "Have mercy on my son. He's going to be locked up for something he didn't do."

Luper will be required to register as a sex offender. Green ordered him not to have any contact with the teens. He also can not have any contact with any minors except for his biological children. Luper must pay $670 in court costs.

Stuart Cearley, chief deputy prosecutor, and Carly Marshall, a deputy prosecutor, were the prosecutors on the case.

Blair Brady and Kathryn Platt represented Luper.

NW News on 04/25/2014

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