BENTONVILLE -- A Lowell man was sentenced Monday to 30 years in prison for raping and sexually assaulting four children.
Michael Joseph Lackey, 35, pleaded guilty to three counts of rape, a Class Y felony, and second-degree sexual assault, a Class B felony. The plea came under an agreement Scott McElveen, Lackey's attorney, reached with Stephanie McLemore, deputy prosecutor.
Lackey was arrested Oct. 14, 2014, after Arkansas State Police and the Lowell Police Department began to investigate allegations concerning Lackey.
Lackey admitted in court to raping three of the girls and sexually assaulting the other girl.
Lackey told Special Judge Shane Wilkinson, who was sitting in for Circuit Judge Robin Green, that he had not been coerced in taking the plea agreement. Lackey said he understood he was waiving his rights to a jury trial and an appeal.
Wilkinson accepted the plea agreement and Lackey's guilty pleas.
Lackey was sentenced to 30 years in prison. He must serve at least 21 years before he is eligible for parole.
He will have to abide by a suspended-sentence agreement for 20 years after his release from prison.
Lackey will be required to register as a sex offender. He must enroll in the prison's sex offender treatment program or complete a similar program upon his release from prison. Lackey was given credit for the 266 days he spent in the Benton County Jail awaiting trial. He must pay $2,120 in court costs.
NW News on 06/30/2015