A Mountain Home man accused of sexually assaulting two juvenile family members entered a plea of guilty to the charges against him Tuesday.Forty-year-old Jeffery Thomas Barger was sentenced to 30 years in prison on two counts of 2nd degree sexual assault.
The investigation leading to Barger’s arrest was launched in early November 2020 when a complaint about his alleged activities was made to the Arkansas State Police Crimes Against Children Division.
Both victims were interviewed at Grandma’s House Childrens Advocacy Center in Mountain Home.
According to a press release from the Baxter County Sheriff’s Office, Barger was contacted by phone during the investigation to request an interview to obtain his side of the story.
He refused to make himself available and could not be located.
The probable cause affidavit containing details of the incidents in the case was sealed at the request of prosecutors.
Charges were filed and a bench warrant issued for Barger’s arrest Nov. 13, 2020. He surrendered himself at the Baxter County Detention Center nine days later.
Barger has been free on $100,000 bond. He was court ordered not to have contact with the victims.
The plea in the Baxter County case was taken in Boone County Circuit Court. 14th Judicial District Prosecutor David Ethredge said it had been difficult to get everyone together, including the defense attorney who is from Central Arkansas. “We’ve been working on this for two months, trying to get the plea. So, when a time opened up we took it.”
In addition to other fines, fees and costs, Barger was required to pay a $250 sex offender registration fee.
Little Rock attorney, George Morledge, IV, represented him.
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