Trial for former HHS vice-principal set for July 26th

A former Horatio High School administrator charged last year for allegedly maintaining a sexual relationship with a student is set to appear before a jury later this month.

According to court records, 41-year-old Labrada Vann is scheduled for a jury trial on July 26 for a single count of sexual assault. 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 was arrested in April of 2022 on a felony count of first-degree sexual assault. 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.

According to court records, Vann’s attorneys sought a mental health evaluation to determine if she could stand trial in the sexual assault case. The evaluation was conducted in February and results returned in March deemed Vann was fit to continue as a defendant.

The evaluation was performed by a psychologist of the Division of Aging, Adult and Behavioral Health Services.

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 an arrest warrant was then issued for Vann.

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