FAYETTEVILLE -- A Centerton man who pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting two young girls in Benton County has pleaded guilty to raping a girl in Washington County and faces 50 years in prison.
Troy David James, 45, pleaded guilty to one count of rape and was sentenced late Monday afternoon by Washington County Circuit Judge William Storey to 30 years at the Arkansas Department of Correction. James was set for trial Tuesday.
The Washington County girl is 17 years old and the rape occurred several years ago.
The prison term will run consecutively with the Benton County case in which James was sentenced in May to 40 years in prison with 20 years suspended for two counts of sexual assault in the second degree.
Heather Campbell, deputy prosecutor in Washington County, said she had another girl ready to testify against James at trial and at least three other girls from various parts of the state also made allegations against James. The oldest victim is now 23 and the youngest are less than 10.
"I think he's been doing this a long time," Campbell said. "I hope this turns out to be a life sentence for him."
Campbell said interagency cooperation made the case against James possible. Benton County Sheriff's Office and Prosecutor's Office, the Washington County Prosecutor's Office, Pine Bluff and Camden police and several child safety centers participated.
"They were all involved and did a great job," Campbell said.
James was arrested in July after information provided to the Arkansas State Police Crimes Against Children Hotline was forwarded to the Benton County Sheriff's Office.
James will be required to register as a sex offender.
NW News on 07/16/2014