Eaton intends to rely on defense of mental defect

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     Shawn Douglas Eaton of Mountain Home, who is charged with sexual indecency with a child and sexual assault in the second degree, intends to rely on a defense of mental disease or defect, according to filings made in his case late last week.

     The 20-year-old Eaton was arrested in mid-July after Mountain Home Police were called to the Donald W. Reynolds Library for a reported sexual assault.

     According to the probable cause affidavit filed in the case, an 11-year-old female told police that Eaton had touched her inappropriately. She said she pushed his arm away and he stepped back a short distance and then exposed himself.

     The affidavit further alleges that when he was interviewed, Eaton admitted to approaching the girl in the library and touching her “mid-section”. He also said he had exposed himself. He further admitted he frequently engages in inappropriate sexual activity in public.

     In another incident, an 11-year-old girl reported she had been “groped in her private area” at a store on Highway 5 South. According to the probable cause affidavit, Eaton also admitted to officers he had been the one who inappropriately touched the young girl in the store.

     According to records in a probate case filed in 2013, Eaton is bipolar and a guardian was appointed for him.

     Eaton’s current attorney, John Russo with the Public Defender’s office, has also filed motions asking the court to order an examination to determine if Eaton is fit to proceed in the case filed against him.

     He entered a not guilty plea to the charges against him during an appearance in Baxter County Circuit Court on August 4th. Circuit Judge Gordon Webb ordered Eaton to re-appear in court on January 26th.

     Eaton is being held in the Baxter County jail with bond set at $50,000.


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