Former Horatio coach pleads guilty to internet stalking of a child

Submitted by Patrick Massey of KDQN.net

A former Horatio basketball coach has pleaded guilty to a charge that he and another former educator attempted to organize a sexual encounter with a 15-year-old girl.

According to court records, 32-year-old Ryan Smith of Conway pleaded guilty in the Sevier County Circuit Court on Sept. 6 for the offense of attempted internet stalking of a child. He entered the guilty plea after initially pleading not guilty to the felony charge.

The second defendant in the case, 41-year-old Lori Marshall of Lockesburg, pleaded guilty in June to a similar offense. She was sentenced to four years of probation in addition to a $1,500 court fine. She will also be required to register as sex offender.

Following his guilty plea, Smith was sentenced to 10 years in the Arkansas Department of Corrections. He is also ordered to pay court fines and will have to register as a sex offender.

Smith and Marshall were both charged in June 2021 following an investigation into the internet stalking allegations. Prosecutors are alleging Smith and Marshall had discussed arranging a sexual encounter with a 15-year-old girl. The incident in question was reportedly committed between May 20, 2020 and June 30, 2020, according to court records.

Attempted internet stalking of a child involves the pursuit of online communications with a child aged 15 or younger with intent to engage in sexual activity.

Marshall was a first-grade teacher at Horatio Elementary School while Smith was a basketball coach who left the Horatio School District in 2016.

Smith is also facing 35 counts of possession of child pornography in Faulkner County. He was initially arrested on those charges in May of last year. He is currently maintaining a not guilty plea on those 35 charges. A jury trial is scheduled for next month.