BENTONVILLE -- A former Benton County Sheriff's deputy will go on trial in February on a felony charge he sexually assaulted a 16-year-old girl.
Lloyd Sean Chandler, 39, of Bentonville is charged with first-degree sexual assault, a Class A felony; and distributing, possessing or viewing matter depicting sexually explicit conduct involving a child, a Class C felony. He previously pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Chandler, who is free on $50,000 bond, was arrested Feb. 23.
He appeared in court Thursday where Benton County Circuit Judge Brad Karren scheduled a jury trial to begin Feb. 28. A pretrial hearing is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Feb. 27.
Chandler told the court it was his intent to turn down any plea offers, and he wanted a jury trial.
He's accused of engaging in intercourse with a girl with whom he held a position of trust or authority over, according to court documents. Chandler also is accused of possessing multiple images of a nude child, according to court documents.
Chandler was a sergeant with the special investigations unit at the Sheriff's Office. He was fired after his arrest.
The teen told police she had sex with Chandler at his home in June when she was 16, according to court documents. The girl also said she and Chandler exchanged explicit photographs, according to a probable cause affidavit. The girl told police 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 intercourse with her, according to the probable cause affidavit. He also said the two exchanged photographs, according to the documents.
Chandler faces from six to 30 years in prison if convicted of the sexual assault. He could be sentenced from three to 10 years if convicted of the Class C felony.
NW News on 09/16/2016