BENTONVILLE — A former Benton County sheriff’s deputy and former justice of the peace was arrested Thursday in connection with sexually assaulting a woman.
Richard Kevin Harrison, 52, is free on $7,500 bond after his arrest in connection with sexual assault in second degree, a Class B felony, which is punishable with a prison sentence ranging from five to 20 years.
Prosecutors have not filed a formal charge against Harrison.
Sgt. Shannon Jenkins, a spokeswoman for the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, said Harrison was fired Wednesday.
“I don’t have any comment,” Harrison said Thursday afternoon via telephone. “I would love to but I can’t talk to you right now."
He was first elected in 2010 and served through the end of 2016. He ran for reelection in 2016 and won another term but resigned in December when he took a job with the Benton County Sheriff’s Office.
Harrison began working in the jail, but was a work detail deputy when he was fired, according to Jenkins.