Man gets 36 years in prison for stabbing

BENTONVILLE — A Rogers man was sentenced to 36 years in prison after admitting he stabbed his girlfriend and then stalked and threatened her while he was being held in the Benton County Jail.

Robert Lee Holt, 43, pleaded guilty Thursday to felony charges of domestic battery, stalking, terroristic threatening and intimidat- ing a witness. He was charged as a habitual offender because of other felony convictions.

Holt was arrested Feb. 4. Holli Hayes told a Benton County sheriff’s deputy Holt stabbed her in the leg after she told him she no longer wanted to be in a relationship with him, according to a probable cause affidavit.

The intimidating a witness, stalking and terroristic charges occurred while Holt was in jail. He stalked Hayes by telephoning and sending her numerous messages, and some of the messages contained death threats to Hayes and other people, said Joshua Robinson, deputy prosecutor.

Robinson said there were more than 250 messages exchanged on the jail’s smartmail system, and the lion’s share were from Holt to the victim. Robinson said Holt made at least 100 telephone calls to the victim.

Circuit Judge Brad Karren sentenced Holt to 36 years in the Arkansas Department of Correction. He must serve six years before he will be eligible for parole. Holt will have to abide by a suspended sentence agreement for 30 years after his release from prison.

Robinson told the judge Holt was still communicating with Hayes from the jail. Robinson said he wanted Holt to understand any new crimes will be prosecuted.

There’s an order in place prohibiting Holt from having any contact with Hayes.

Karren ordered Holt be denied access to any outgoing mail or telephone calls except for communicating with his attorney while in the jail.

Holt