Former deputy and JP will not face criminal charge

Kevin Harrison
Kevin Harrison

BENTONVILLE -- A former deputy and Benton County justice of the peace will not be charged with sexual assault.

Richard Kevin Harrison, 52, was arrested in July in connection with sexual assault.

Harrison appeared in court Monday where it was announced no charge would be filed against him.

A woman reported to Rogers police she woke up to a naked Harrison touching her inappropriately, according to court documents.

"I'm happy the prosecutor treated it seriously and gathered all the information before he made the decision not to pursue charges," said Ed McClure, Harrison's attorney. "I'm happy that we have a prosecutor willing to do the right thing when the facts warranted it."

Benton County Prosecutor Nathan Smith said the woman didn't want to go through a trial.

"She wanted to dismiss the case and that's what we did," he said.

Harrison worked as a work detail deputy for the Benton County Sheriff's Office when he was arrested. He was at first placed on administrative leave and later terminated from his position.

Harrison served three two-year terms on the Benton County Quorum Court as justice of the peace for District 5, which is the eastern part of Rogers.

He was first elected in 2010. He ran for re-election in 2016 and won another term, but resigned in December when he took a job with the Sheriff's Office.

NW News on 10/10/2017

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