BENTONVILLE — A Rogers man was sentenced to 40 years in prison for sexually assaulting a 5-year-old boy.
Harold Shane Caldwell, 38, pleaded guilty Monday to sexual assault in the first degree, a Class A felony; and sexual assault in the second degree, a Class B felony.
He also was charged with another second-degree sexual assault and distributing, possession or viewing matter depicting sexually explicit conduct involving a child, a Class C felony, but prosecutors agreed to dismiss those charges under a plea agreement.
Caldwell was arrested May 29, 2012. A caller reported allegations to Rogers police that Caldwell was suspected of sexually abusing a 5-year-old boy and a 3-year-old girl, according to court documents.
Caldwell admitted to having sexual contact with the boy when questioned by police. He claimed the girl only had touched him on the stomach, according to court documents.
The sexual assault charge involving the girl was dismissed in the plea agreement.
Circuit Judge Robin Green accepted the plea agreement and Caldwell's guilty plea.
Caldwell was sentenced to 25 years in prison for first-degree sexual assault and 15 years for the other sexual assault count.
The two sentences will run consecutively -- a 40-year sentence for Caldwell. He must abide by a suspended sentence agreement for five years after his release from prison. Caldwell received 657 days of credit for the time he spent in the Benton County Jail awaiting trial.
Caldwell will be required to register as a sex offender. He must enroll in the prison's sex offender treatment program. He was ordered not to have any contact with the boy or girl.
Caldwell also must pay $1,670 in court costs.
NW News on 03/18/2014