NICOLE TRACY
REPORTER
HOPE – The case against
Van Dale Stueart came to
a close on Nov. 23, when
Stueart pleaded guilty to the
felony charges of sexually
grooming a child and sexual
indecency with a child.
He was sentenced to six
years probation on each of
the charges, and was additionally
fined $1,500 plus
court costs, as well as was ordered
to pay special assessments
related to domestic
relations and child advocacy
care groups.
Restrictions were also
placed on Stueart’s usage of
smart phones and computers.
He is required to register
as a sex offender, and is also
required to receive counseling.
Sexually grooming a child
is defined as a person 21 or
older exposing a minor
13 or younger to sexually
explicit material for the purpose
of enticing the minor to
engage in sexual intercourse,
sexually explicit conduct
or sexually deviate activity.
The law was passed by the
Arkansas General Assembly
in 2013. It is considered a
Class D Felony.
Sixty-seven-year old
Stueart was taken into custody
by deputies as the
result of an investigation
that began March 19, when
parents of the alleged victim
notified authorities that their
nine-year-old daughter had
been videoed and “shown
some pornographic films.”
Stueart surrendered
himself to the Hempstead
County Sheriff’s Office on
March 25.
