BENTONVILLE -- Edward Joseph Shirley, 25, of Gentry received a 15-year prison sentence after admitting to sexually assaulting a girl.
He was originally charged with rape.
Gentry police began investigating in October after a 13-year-old said Shirley sexually assaulted her when she was 7 years old, according to a probable cause affidavit. The teen said during an interview at the Children's Advocacy Center of Benton County that Shirley touched her inappropriately on more than one occasion, according to the affidavit.
Shirley admitted to police he had sexual contact with the child, according to the affidavit. He was arrested June 16.
He was ordered to pay $1,670 in court associated costs.
NW News on 09/22/2018