A former Baxter County deputy sheriff and school resource officer at Cotter has entered a not guilty plea to seven counts of sexual assault involving a 16-year-old student.
Thirty-three-year-old Matthew Guthrie of rural Mountain Home appeared briefly during a session of Baxter County Circuit Court Thursday with his attorney, John Crain.
The former deputy is alleged to have made a full confession to having consensual sexual activity with the student. According to the probable cause affidavit, the teenager was interviewed July 25 and told investigators she had sex with Guthrie multiple times at four different locations in Baxter County.
According to the sheriff’s office, the victim assisted with gathering evidence to substantiate the charges.
Guthrie is reported as telling investigators the sexual relations with the student took place between May and July. None of the encounters are believed to have taken place on school property.
The allegation was brought to 14th Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney David Ethredge by the teenager’s parents. Ethredge requested the Arkansas State Police Crimes Against Children Division investigate.
Guthrie was hired as a jailer in January 2016 and was transferred to the position of school resource office the next year. He was fired July 26, the day he was arrested, according to Sheriff John Montgomery.
A school resource officer serves a unique role in law enforcement. The SRO’s duties often expand beyond school security to include teaching, as well as serving as mentors and counselors on school campuses.
Guthrie is free on $100,000 bond.
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