Rogers man sentenced to 32 years in prison

BENTONVILLE — A Rogers man was sentenced to 32 years in prison after admitting to sexually assaulting four girls.

Evan Lane Ballard, 23, pleaded guilty Tuesday to four counts of sexual assault.

Ballard was arrested by Benton County Sheriff’s Office deputies in May 2017 in connection with sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl, according to court documents. The girl reported she had a sexual encounter with Ballard at his house and Ballard admitted having sexual contact with her, according to a probable cause affidavit.

Ballard was arrested again in September 2017 in connection with sexually assaulting another 13-year-old girl. The eighth-grade girl reported she and Ballard had sex at Ballard’s home, according to court documents.

He was charged in November 2017 with sexually assaulting two other girls, 14 and 15 years old. The girls told Rogers police they had sex with Ballard at his home, according to court documents.

Benton County Circuit Judge Brad Karren sentenced Ballard to 32 years in the Arkansas Department of Correction. He will have to serve at least six years before he is eligible for parole.

He will have to abide by a suspended sentence agreement for eight years after his release and to register as a sex offender.

Ballard