A former school resource officer at the Cotter School System and Baxter County Deputy Sheriff is now facing charges for sexual assault involving a 16-year-old female student.
The jury recommended that a sentence of 10 years probation and a fine of $5,000 to be served by 35-year-old Matthew Guthrie and Judge John Putnam accepted the recommendation.
Guthrie will now have to register as a sex offender.
The former resource officer reportedly admitted to having “consensual sexual relations” with the student.
Guthrie testified that the 16-year-old asked him if he would be in a dating relationship with her and that she initiated all meetings between the two.
He also said while testifying that the relationship was a 100% mistake.
Guthrie was released on a $100,000 bond.
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