Man gets 25 years for rape of teenager

TEXARKANA — A Miller County man was sentenced to 25 years in prison Wednesday after pleading guilty to raping a girl to whom he is related.

Mark McCullough, 56, appeared for a plea hearing Wednesday morning before Circuit Judge Brent Haltom. McCullough pleaded guilty to rape as part of a plea agreement, which includes a 25-year prison sentence.

Had McCullough taken his case to a jury, he faced the possibility of 10 to 40 years or life in prison.

The victim’s mother reported the abuse in October 2015, when the girl was 15.

Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Connie Mitchell said the Miller County sheriff’s office executed a search warrant on McCullough’s phone that revealed text messages between McCullough and the girl, which confirmed the history of sexual abuse.

McCullough was taken into custody by Miller County deputies at the close of Wednesday’s hearing.

“We are grateful that the defendant took responsibility for his actions, thereby saving this victim the trauma of recounting the sexual abuse she endured,” Mitchell said.

She said McCullough will serve at least 70 percent of his 25-year sentence.

“If and when he makes parole, the victim will be an adult, with a life and family of her own,” Mitchell said. “She can now put this behind her and begin to heal.”