BENTONVILLE -- A man was sentenced to 25 years in prison after admitting he sexually assaulted two girls and possessed child pornography.
Thomas Pettay, 60, pleaded guilty Monday to two counts of second-degree sexual assault and 10 counts of distributing, possession or viewing matter depicting sexually explicit conduct involving a child. Scott McElveen, Pettay's attorney, reached the agreement with Carly Marshall, deputy prosecutor.
Bentonville police began to investigate after they received a report accusing Pettay of sexually assaulting two girls, ages 10 and 12, according to a probable cause affidavit. The girls said Pettay touched them inappropriately, according to court documents. Pettay was arrested July 25.
Pettay, of Bentonville, admitted he inappropriately touched the girls, according to the probable cause affidavit.
The older girl reported she saw nude pictures of "little girls" on Pettay's cellphone.
Benton County Circuit Judge Robin Green accepted the plea agreement and Pettay's guilty pleas.
Pettay was sentenced to the Arkansas Department of Correction.
Pettay must abide by a suspended sentence agreement for five years after his release from prison. He'll be required to register as a sex offender and pay $1,920 in court costs.
NW News on 03/01/2017