Deputies arrest lawyer in sex-solicitation case

BENTONVILLE — A Bentonville lawyer was arrested Tuesday in connection with the possible trading of legal services for sex.

Bryan Powell was arrested on suspicion of sexual solicitation, two counts of carrying a prohibited weapon and theft by receiving.

He was released on citation from the Benton County jail on Wednesday morning.

Powell could not be reached for comment Wednesday. He did not respond to two messages sent to him.

A confidential source contacted Cpl. Andrew Woody with the Benton County sheriff’s office concerning a defense attorney who possibly would trade sex for legal representation, according to court documents. The source on Dec. 17 identified Powell as the attorney, according to a probable cause affidavit.

The source continued to communicate with Powell, and they discussed meeting, according to the affidavit.

The confidential source arranged to meet Powell in Springdale on Tuesday and informed Woody of the meeting, according to court documents.

Deputies were at the location when Powell arrived, but he circled the parking lot twice and went to a nearby restaurant before returning to the parking lot, according to court documents. Powell then left the scene, but deputies had obtained a warrant for his arrest, and he later was stopped and arrested.

Deputies found a loaded .380-caliber semi-automatic Smith and Wesson in Powell’s front pocket. Powell said he did not have a concealed-carry license, according to court documents. A loaded 9mm semi-automatic Beretta was found in the vehicle’s glove box, according to the affidavit.

The Beretta was reported stolen out of Benton County, according to the affidavit. Powell reported that the gun was given to him and may have been from a client in exchange for work, according to court documents.

Prosecutors have not filed formal charges in the case.