A 76-year-old Midway man who pled no contest to sex crimes involving children last year has started the process of applying for clemency.
A commutation screening has been scheduled for October 12.
Loy Gene Beard had originally been charged with rape, 2nd degree sexual assault, sexual indecency with a child and sexual grooming of a child by a person 21-years or older.
He entered his plea to sexual assault, sexual indecency with a child and grooming a child and was sentenced to 20 years in prison with 10 suspended and 10 to serve.
Beard was jailed on April 13. He made his plea on September 8, 2022 — 514 days later.
His arrest came as the result of a joint investigation by the Arkansas State Police Crimes Against Children Division and the Baxter County Sheriff’s office.
The investigation was triggered by a complaint from a parent of one of the victims.
Sexual grooming is described as a process in which a perpetrator gradually gains a victim’s trust. The goal is to have sexual relations with the victim. Victims are usually young children, teenagers or even vulnerable adults.
According to experts, grooming can take place in person, on the Internet or in institutional settings.
The offender builds trust with the child and the adults around the child in an effort to gain access to, and have time alone with the victim. If the offender is able to manipulate the child into becoming a cooperating participant, the likelihood or disclosure is reduced.
During Beard’s sentencing, as the events leading to the charges were being recited, the court was told that Beard had shown a pornographic movie to a very young child prior to having sexual contact with the girl.
In order to protect the victims, the court sealed the probable cause affidavit in the case. A no contact order was also issued prohibiting him having contact with the victims or with anyone less than 18-years-old.
Acting as his own attorney, Beard filed a number of handwritten motions prior to entering his no contest plea, including one asking for dismissal all of the charges against him.
He is an inmate at the Ouachita River Unit of the state prison system.
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