Springdale Man Sentenced To 8 Years In Sexual Assault Of Another Inmate

Cline
Cline

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

Adam Cline, 32, of Springdale 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 Rachel McKay, Cline's attorney, reached with Stuart Cearley, chief deputy prosecutor.

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

Cline was being held in May 2013 in the county jail. An inmate reported Cline entered his cell and attempted to force him to engage in a sex act.

Cearley told retired Circuit Judge David Clinger the victim was able to get away from Cline and draw attention before the assault went too far. Clinger was sitting in for Circuit Judge Brad Karren.

McKay told Clinger that Cline is remorseful.

"He's been in the system far too long," McKay said. "He's ready to get it behind him."

Clinger accepted the plea agreement and Cline's guilty pleas. Cline was sentenced to eight years in prison on each of the two counts. The sentences will be served concurrently. He received 15 days of jail credit for the time he spent in jail awaiting trial.

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 three to 10 years. Cline faced three to 30 years because of the habitual offender enhancement.

He must abide by a suspended sentence agreement for 12 years after his release from prison. Clinger warned Cline he still faces 32 years for sexual assault and 22 years on the reporting charge if he doesn't abide by the terms of the suspended sentence.

"It wouldn't be anything to stop that judge from stacking them if they prove their case," Clinger said to Cline.

NW News on 03/20/2014

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