Photo: Matthew Guthrie
The trial of a former Baxter County deputy sheriff and school resource officer (SRO) at Cotter, charged with seven counts of sexual assault involving a 16-year-old female student, has been moved to mid-March next year.
Mountain Home attorney John Crain, who represents 33-year-old Matthew Guthrie, appeared in Baxter County Circuit Court last week and said he needed time to go over material he had just received from the prosecution. Circuit Judge John Putman approved Crain’s request. A final appearance prior to trial is set for Feb. 13 next year.
According to court records, the former deputy is alleged to have made a full confession to having what was termed “consensual” sexual activity with the student.
The student was interviewed July 25 and told investigators she had sex with Guthrie multiple times at four different locations in Baxter County. The victim was reported to have assisted with gathering evidence to substantiate the charge.
Guthrie is alleged to have said the sexual encounters with the student took place between May and July. None are believed to have happened on school property. The allegations were brought to 14th Judicial District Prosecutor David Ethredge by the girl’s parents. Ethredge requested an investigation by the Arkansas State Police Crimes Against Children Division.
According to Baxter County Sheriff John Montgomery, Guthrie was hired as a jailer in January 2016, and was transferred to the position of SRO the next year. He was fired July 26. A school resource officer serves a unique role in law enforcement. The SRO’s duties often expand beyond providing security to include teaching and serving as mentors and counselors on school campuses.
At the time of Guthrie’s arrest, Sheriff Montgomery said the fate of the former deputy was “now in the hands of the judicial system, and we expect he will be treated no differently than any other person” facing such serious charges.
Guthrie was booked into the Baxter County Detention Center July 26 and released on a $100,000 bond.
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