BENTONVILLE -- A former Benton County sheriff's deputy has pleaded innocent to felony charges involving a 16-year-old girl.
Lloyd Sean Chandler, 39, is charged with first-degree sexual assault and distributing, possessing or viewing matter depicting sexually explicit conduct involving a child. He pleaded innocent Monday at his arraignment before Circuit Judge Robin Green. Chandler is free on a $50,000 bond.
Chandler, who was arrested Feb. 23, is accused of engaging in sexual intercourse with a minor with whom he held a position of trust or authority, according to court documents. Chandler also is accused of possessing multiple images of a nude child.
Chandler was a sergeant with the special investigations unit at the sheriff's office. He has since been fired.
The teen told police that she had sex with Chandler at his Rogers home in June when she was 16. The girl also said that she and Chandler exchanged explicit photographs, according to a probable-cause affidavit.
The girl told police that she met Chandler where she worked, and they began a friendship, according to court documents.
Chandler admitted to "playing around" with the girl at his home but denied that he had intercourse with her, according to the affidavit. Chandler also said the two exchanged photographs.
Bentonville and Rogers police officers began the investigation after they were told that Chandler had sex with a teen girl, according to a news release from Bentonville police.
Chandler's case is assigned to Circuit Judge Brad Karren. A pretrial hearing is set for 8 a.m. May 11.
State Desk on 04/06/2016