Arkansas man gets 8 years in prison after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting 12-year-old girl

Joshua Nehemiah Lawson
Joshua Nehemiah Lawson

BENTONVILLE -- A Rogers man was sentenced to eight years in prison after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting a girl.

Joshua Nehemiah Lawson, 22, pleaded guilty Sept. 17.

A student told a police resource officer Lawson was having sex with a 12-year-old girl, according to a probable cause affidavit. Lawson admitted to detectives he had sex with the girl, according to the affidavit. Lawson told police he knew she was 12 years old and they met at the library, according to court documents.

Benton County Circuit Judge Robin Green sentenced Lawson to eight years in state prison. He must abide by a suspended sentence agreement for 12 years after his release from prison. Lawson will be required to register as a sex offender, and he must undergo sex-offender treatment. He also must pay $2,195 in court costs.

He also pleaded guilty to aggravated assault on a family or household member and was given a six-year suspended sentence. According to court documents, Lawson threatened a woman with a baseball bat.

ADVERTISEMENT

More headlines

State Desk on 09/24/2018

Upcoming Events