Trial continued for former HHS admin in sexual assault case

The trial date for a former Horatio High School administrator charged last year for allegedly maintaining a sexual relationship with a student has been postponed until September.

Labrada Vann, 41, was scheduled for a jury trial to begin today in the Sevier County Circuit Court. However, the court granted a motion by Vann’s attorneys for a continuance after prosecutors announced additional testimony would be presented in the trial. Her defense argued that the disclosure of a significant witness “so late in the process and so close to trial is a violation” of court statutes and “significantly impairs [the] defendant’s right to a fair trial and due process.”

A trial was previously continued following a motion by her defense attorney– including on one occasion to allow the state to perform a mental evaluation on Vann. Vann is facing a single felony count of first-degree sexual assault. According to the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office, investigators were contacted by the Arkansas Crimes Against Children Hotline in April of last year in reference to a possible inappropriate relationship between Vann and a student. The sheriff’s office began an investigation into the allegations and Vann was arrested later that month.

During the time of the alleged incident Vann served as the vice-principal for Horatio High School. She has maintained a plea of not guilty to the charge since her arrest. Vann posted a $100,000 bond following her arraignment later that month.

Upon a conviction, the charge of first-degree sexual assault carries a prison sentence of six to 30 years.