Ex-Arkansas principal pleads innocent to third sex count

Lester Dewayne Curry
Lester Dewayne Curry

HOT SPRINGS -- A retired Lake Hamilton Middle School principal who was arrested Nov. 29 on a second count of sexual indecency with a child pleaded innocent Monday in Garland County Circuit Court.

Lester Dewayne Curry, 61, of Glenwood has remained in custody since his second arrest. His bail was initially set at $250,000 but later increased to $400,000. His bond was revoked after his second arrest.

An order limiting pretrial publicity was issued by Garland County District Judge David Switzer after Curry's arrest in November. Circuit Judge Marcia Hearnsberger issued an identical gag order last week, along with an order barring Curry from contact with the alleged victim.

Hearnsberger later filed a request to move the case to Circuit Judge John Homer Wright, who was already assigned to hear the earlier charges against Curry of second-degree sexual assault and sexual indecency with a child that were filed after his arrest in June. Hearnsberger's request was granted.

If convicted, Curry could face up to 20 years in prison on the sexual-assault charge and up to six years on each of the sexual-indecency counts.

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A review hearing is set for Feb. 13 on all of the charges and various motions that have been filed, including a request to reinstate Curry's bail.

According to the affidavit for the latest charge, a 14-year-old girl was interviewed Nov. 28 at the Cooper-Anthony Mercy Child Advocacy Center. She said Curry sexually assaulted her during a roadside meeting in a residential area off U.S. 70-West about 8 a.m. Nov. 23. She said Curry had contacted her through an Instagram account in violation of a no-contact order.

According to the affidavit on the charges in June, Curry was interviewed May 25 at the Garland County sheriff's office and denied allegations of kissing and fondling the student during school hours, but he admitted to calling, texting and emailing the student. He denied having sexual conversations with her.

Curry submitted his resignation May 26, the day after he was interviewed by investigators. His retirement became effective June 30.

State Desk on 02/02/2017

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