Former Horatio teacher pleads guilty to internet stalking of a child

Submitted by Patrick Massey of KDQN

DE QUEEN – A former Horatio teacher arrested last year on charges that she and another former teacher attempted to organize a sexual encounter with a 15-year-old girl has entered a guilty plea to the offense.

According to court records, 41-year-old Lori Marshall of Lockesburg entered a plea of guilty to attempted internet stalking of a child during the June 23 session of the Sevier County Circuit Court. She entered the guilty plea after initially pleading not guilty to the felony charge.

The second defendant in the case, 32-year-old Ryan Smith of Conway, has maintained a plea of not guilty. He is scheduled to appear before the Sevier County Circuit Court for a pre-trial hearing in August.

Both Marshall and Smith 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.

Both Smith and Marshall posted $50,000 bonds following their initial court appearances in June. Smith was being represented by the Bennett and Williams Law Office in Texarkana while Marshall is being represented by the Young Pickett law firm of Texarkana.

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.

Marshall has been sentenced to four years of probation in addition to a $1,500 court fine. She will also be required to register as as sex offender