Man pleads not guilty to sex crimes
Posted on Tuesday, September 23, 2008
BENTONVILLE — A Benton County man pleaded not guilty to charges that he exposed himself to a mother and her 10-year-old daughter.
Paul Allen Ballard, 50, is charged with sexual indecency with a child, a class D felony, and indecent exposure, a class A misdemeanor. The felony charge is punishable with a prison sentence of up to six years, while the misdemeanor carries a punishment of up to a year in jail. Ballard entered the plea Monday during an arraignment before Circuit Judge David Clinger.
The Benton County Sheriff’s Office received a report July 8 concerning a man pulling down his pants and gratifying himself while standing on his porch, according to court documents.
A woman, who was with her daughter, had parked her car in Ballard’s yard at 12577 Fords Rock Landing in the Martin’s Bluff area. When they were leaving, they saw Ballard on his front porch.
The alleged activity is a misdemeanor when witnessed by individuals 15 and older, but a felony when witnessed by children younger than 15.
Ballard was arrested July 23 and was released two days later from the Benton County Jail after posting $ 10, 000 bond.
Ballard was arrested Sept. 11 for sexual assault in the second degree for an incident involving a 13-year-old girl.
According to court documents, a father brought his 13-year-old daughter to report a sexual assault that occurred May 29 in the Martin’s Bluff area.
The father told BCSO investigator Jeremy Felton that the family went to Martin’s Bluff to swim. When they arrived in the area, a man told them they could park in his yard, according to court documents. The man identified himself as Paul Allen, according to an affidavit of probable cause in the case.
The girl went back to her family’s car and fell asleep in the back seat of the family vehicle and claims Ballard reached through the window and fondled her twice, according to court documents.
Ballard denied fondling the girl and claimed the only time he touched her was in an attempt to keep her from falling out of the car, according to the affidavit.
Prosecutors have not filed formal charges against Ballard in the second case. His arraignment and an omnibus hearing for the first case are scheduled for 8: 30 a. m. Nov. 13. Maurico Hernandez-Perez case
In an unrelated case, Maurico Hernandez-Perez, 26, pleaded not guilty to sexual assault in the second degree, a class B felony punishable with a prison sentence ranging from five to 20 years.
Hernandez-Perez in accused of engaging in sexual contact with a 12-year-old girl. An omnibus hearing in the case is scheduled for 8: 30 a. m. Oct. 13.
He is being held in the Benton County Jail in lieu of $ 25, 000 bond.
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