A jury in Hot Springs deliberated for less than 30 minutes Thursday before finding a man guilty of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl in 2014, the Hot Springs Sentinel-Record reported.
Fredrick Bruce Barfield, 42, of Hot Springs was arrested Feb. 17, 2016, on a felony charge of second-degree sexual assault.
According to a probable cause affidavit, on Nov. 18, 2014, the victim was interviewed at the Cooper Anthony Mercy Child Advocacy Center. She stated that, on Nov. 15 at a residence in Garland County, she and Barfield were sitting in the living room when Barfield began touching her chest underneath her clothing while holding her down.
Barfield told investigators in February 2015 that he did touch the victim "to teach her a lesson, so she would know what it's like to have to say no," according to the affidavit.
Jurors heard testimony from the victim, her mother and investigators on Thursday. Barfield did not testify.
A sentencing hearing is set for Aug. 7.