Springdale man pleads guilty, sentenced for sexual assault

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

A Springdale man was sentenced to 30 years in prison after he admitted he sexually assaulted a 13-year-old girl.

Leonard Eugene Releford, 32, pleaded guilty Monday to sexual assault in the first degree. He originally was charged with rape, but he agreed to plead guilty to the lesser charge under a plea agreement reached between attorney David Hogue and Stuart Cearley, chief deputy prosecutor.

Releford was arrested June 12, 2012. The girl reported that Releford had inappropriately touched her, according it a probable cause affidavit.

Releford admitted having sexual contact with the teen when he was questioned by police, according to court documents.

Circuit Judge Brad Karren accepted the plea agreement and Releford’s guilty plea.

Releford was sentenced to 30 years in the Arkansas Department of Correction. He received 137 days of credit for the time he spent in the county jail while awaiting trial.

Releford will be required to registered as a sex offender and he must pay $2,120 in court costs.