Former Arkansas Arts Academy teacher pleads not guilty to child sex crimes in Benton County
ROGERS, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — A former teacher at the Arkansas Arts Academy has pleaded not guilty to his Benton County charges, according to court documents.
Robert Beard, 39, was arrested by the Benton County Sheriff's Office on Feb. 11 for 25 counts of sexual grooming of a child.
A release from the Rogers Police Department said detectives interviewed multiple students who were taught by Beard during a two-year period.
During the investigation, 25 victims were identified to have been sexually groomed by Beard during his time as a teacher at the Arkansas Arts Academy, the department said.
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A probable cause affidavit filed on Feb. 12 said that after the first arrest, students came forward and claimed that Beard sent pornography to them.
The pornography was sent to students in the form of an Adobe Flash player link and was reportedly sent to multiple classes starting in September 2022.
The school reportedly sent a detective with RPD a list of more than 60 students who potentially received pornographic materials from Beard, according to the affidavit.
Beard has an omnibus hearing in Benton County set for June 5.
Beard also faces charges in Washington County. He was arrested on Jan. 24 for internet stalking of a child, first-degree sexual assault and traveling for the purpose of an unlawful sex act with a minor.
A news release from the Springdale Police Department said on Jan. 17, the department was notified that a former teacher at a school in Rogers had picked up a child from a dance at the school.
School staff noticed the incident and followed Beard's vehicle while notifying police, according to a news release.
Officers stopped Beard's car and took the juvenile to the Children's Safety Center for an interview.
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Investigators found through the juvenile's phone that Beard, a former teacher at their school, had been talking to the minor online before taking them to his home.
Police also searched his home and collected more evidence, according to the release.
Allison Roberts, CEO of Arkansas Arts Academy, previously told KNWA/FOX24 that Beard was employed with the school from August 2022 to June 2024 and was terminated in July 2024.
He has been ordered to have no access to any device that can access the internet.
Beard has a status hearing in Washington County on June 30.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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