Man sentenced for sexual assault of fellow Benton County inmate

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

An inmate in the Benton County Jail was sentenced to 8 years in prison for sexually assaulting another inmate.

Adam Cline, 32, pleaded guilty Wednesday to sexual assault in the second degree, a Class B felony, and failure to comply with reporting requirements, a Class C felony. The plea was under an agreement Cline's attorney Rachel McKay reached with Stuart Cearley, chief deputy prosecutor.

A Class B felony is normally punishable with a prison sentence ranging from five to 20 years, but Cline was charged as a habitual offender so the maximum amount of years is 40. A Class C felony normally carries a prison sentence ranging from 3 to 10 years. Cline faced 3 to 30 years due to the habitual offender enhancement.

Cline, a Level 2 sex offender, was arrested Jan. 14, 2013 in connection with failure to report charge. Cline did not report his change of address from May 1, 2012 to Dec. 18, 2101 to the Benton County Sheriff's Office, according to court documents.

According to court documents, Cline was being held in May 2013 in the county jail. Another inmate reported that Cline had entered his cell and attempted to force him to engage in a sex act.

McKay told retired Circuit Judge David Clinger that Cline is remorseful over his actions. "He's been in the system far to long," McKay said. "He's ready to get it behind him."

Clinger was sitting in for Circuit Judge Brad Karren.

Clinger accepted the plea agreement and Cline's guilty pleas.

Cline was sentenced to 8 years in prison on each of the two counts. The sentences will be served concurrently.