Former Fayetteville Athletic Director Pleads Not Guilty

Gebhart

Gebhart

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

— Fayetteville High School’s former athletic director faces 20 years in prison if convicted of Internet stalking of a child.

Barry Dwayne Gebhart, 50, entered a not guilty plea during his arraignment before Circuit Judge Robin Green on Tuesday. Gebhart is free on a $75,000 bond.

Gebhart is charged with Internet stalking of a child, a Class B felony. Prosecutors filed the charge before Gebhart’s arraignment.

“We’re pleased, but not surprised, we are dealing with one count,” attorney Drew Miller said following the arraignment. “We are pleased that we will have our day in court and that’s where we will try this case.”

Gebhart was arrested Oct. 22 at Pinnacle Hills Promenade in Rogers after Benton County Sheriff’s Office detectives arranged a meeting there. A detective pretending to be a 14-year-old girl communicated with Gebhart for several weeks, according to a probable cause affidavit.

Glenn Latham, a Sheriff’s Office detective, saw a posting Gebhart made on Whisper, a social networking application. Latham, who is assigned to the Cyber Crimes Unit, began to pose as a 14-year-old girl, and interacted with Gebhart, who said he was a teacher, according to the affidavit. Gebhart made several sexual comments and sent a photograph of his penis and several facial photographs to the detective posing as the girl, according to the probable cause affidavit.

Gebhart denied meeting any other underage girls, but he said he texted a girl who was a senior at Fayetteville High School, according to court documents.

Gebhart told detectives he stopped the conversations when he discovered the girl attended the high school. Gebhart also admitted receiving nude photographs from girls but told detectives he immediately deleted the photographs and started asking for non-nude photographs, according to court documents.

Gebhart’s computer and other electronic devices were seized so a forensic search of the items could be done. The forensic search hasn’t been completed, according to Stuart Cearley, chief deputy prosecutor. Miller said he plans to hire an expert to also examine the electronic devices.

Gebhart resigned two days after his arrest. His final paycheck was issued Nov. 15. Fayetteville’s School Board accepted his resignation Nov. 21.

Gebhart had been athletic director since December 2009. Earlier that year, Gebhart coached the Fayetteville boys basketball team to a championship.

Gebhart faces from five to 20 years in prison if convicted.

An omnibus hearing is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. April 7.