Mitchell Stump (Photo courtesy of Baxter County Sheriff’s Office)
A Mountain Home man charged with fourth-degree sexual assault took a quick trip through the judicial system ending with a guilty plea in Baxter County Circuit Court last Monday.
Thirty-nine-year-old Mitchell Stump was served with an arrest warrant, booked into the Baxter County Detention Center and had his initial Rule 8.1 hearing all on the same day.
He was then released on his own recognizance, meaning no monetary bond was put up, making Stump responsible for coming to court on Monday.
It is unusual for a defendant to be arraigned on charges and enter a plea in the same court session as Stump did.
After Stump entered his plea, he was sentenced to six years in prison with three to serve and three suspended. He will also be required to register as a sex offender.
Circuit Judge John Putman asked prosecutors if the family of the victim was satisfied with the plea agreement and prosecutors said they were.
Stump was represented by Mountain Home attorney Mark Cooper.
It is alleged that Stump had inappropriate sexual contact with a 13-year-old girl earlier this year.
Fourth-degree sexual assault is generally charged when a person 20 years or older engages in sexual activity with another person who is less than 16 years of age and not the person’s spouse.
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