A Mountain Pine man set to stand trial today for the sexual assault of a 5-year-old girl in 2015 instead pleaded guilty Monday in Garland County Circuit Court.
Scott Dewayne Brookshire, 50, who lists an address of 272 E. Half Moon Court, pleaded guilty to a felony count of second-degree sexual assault, punishable by up to 20 years in prison, and was sentenced to six years' probation, 120 days in jail, fined $2,500 and ordered to pay $670 in court costs.
A permanent court order barring Brookshire from any future contact with the victim was also issued and he will have to register as a sex offender after his release from jail.
Chief Deputy Prosecutor Joe Graham said Monday the victim's family had agreed to the plea offer after negotiations with Brookshire so the victim would not have to testify, noting she "had just turned 5" when the incident occurred.
"There is always a concern putting a child that young on the witness stand and her having to talk about something she has probably tried to forget about since then. Bringing all that back up again," he said.
Graham said with a witness that young she would also have to be qualified to testify to prove "she knows the difference between the truth and a lie." He said, "It's always an issue if you can even get them qualified to testify."
He said Brookshire had "done some things" which corroborated what the victim said, but had always denied the allegations. He made one statement he "may have accidentally done something" and some other partial admissions, but it would still have been her word against his if it had gone to trial.
Graham said Brookshire, who was arrested Aug. 19, 2015, had bonded out the same day, so he has no jail time credit and will have to serve the entire 120 days of his sentence in addition to the six years of probation following.
According to the affidavit, a report was filed with the Child Abuse Hotline on July 13, 2015, stating a 5-year-old female told her mother that a known suspect, identified as Brookshire, had sexual contact with her. The victim was interviewed at the Cooper Anthony Mercy Child Advocacy Center and again disclosed Brookshire had sexual contact with her.
The affidavit notes the victim demonstrated the contact on an anatomical doll. The incident was investigated by the Garland County Sheriff's Department and Arkansas State Police Crimes Against Children division.
Brookshire was reportedly confronted by the victim's parents after the incident and he reportedly sent text messages to the victim's father stating he was asking "for forgiveness and clarity." He admitted in the text to touching the victim.
Brookshire also stated he would never do it again and his excessive drinking was over. He also stated, "I pray to Jesus very much that this demon leaves me."
During an interview, Brookshire's wife was asked her opinion and she stated the allegation "just cannot be denied." She said Brookshire had admitted to her he had accidentally put his fingers inside the victim's underwear at one point. She said she accompanied Brookshire to Dallas when he went to take a polygraph test about the incident and she said he failed the test.
She also told of an incident years ago when Brookshire had allegedly been inappropriate with a teenage girl.
The girl, now an adult, was interviewed and she stated when she was 15, Brookshire gave her a "professional massage." She also stated Brookshire would spy on her and her friends while they changed clothes.
Local on 05/10/2017