BENTONVILLE -- A January jury trial was set Thursday for a former teacher accused of having a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old student.
Richard Thomas Riley, 34, of Centerton 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 has pleaded not guilty to the charges and is free on $50,000 bond.
Riley appeared in court Thursday where Benton County Circuit Judge Brad Karren scheduled a jury trial to begin Jan. 24. A pretrial hearing is scheduled for Jan. 23.
Karren wanted to know if Stuart Cearley, chief deputy prosecutor, relayed all plea offers to Sam Hall, Riley's attorney. Cearley said he had. Hall, a deputy public defender, said he told Riley of the plea offers.
Karren asked Riley if it was his intent to reject the offers and go to trial.
"Yes, sir," Riley replied.
Riley taught at Life Way Christian School in Centerton. He's accused of having a sexual relationship with the student and having nude photographs of the girl.
The case was referred to the Benton County Sheriff's Office after a father said he found sexually explicit messages and nude images from Riley's Facebook Messenger to his daughter on an iPad, according to the probable cause affidavit.
The girl was interviewed and said she sent nude photographs to Riley, according to court documents. The girl said she had sex with Riley numerous times at his home, and she thought they were in an exclusive relationship.
Riley told detectives he sent nude photographs to the girl and received photos from her. He said he had sex with her multiple times, sometimes at his home, according to the affidavit.
Riley has been ordered not to have any contact with the girl.
Riley faces from six to 30 years in prison if convicted of the sexual assault charge. He faces from three to 10 years in prison if convicted of the other felony charge.
Luke Bowers, an administrator with Life Way, previously said the school fired Riley, who had worked there since 2013. He taught physical science and world history, primarily to freshmen and sophomores.
Life Way Christian School, a ministry of First Baptist Church Centerton, started in 2000. It has about 575 students enrolled in preschool through grade 12.
NW News on 09/16/2016