By CHRISTY HENDRICKS
Leader staff writer
Tim Ballard, a former coach and principal at Abundant Life Schools in Sherwood, pleaded no contest to sexual- assault charges Thursday. A trial had been set for Aug. 8 in Pulaski County Circuit Court, but Ballard made a plea bargain, according to prosecuting attorney Terry Ball.
The plea sentences Ballard to five years probation, a $1,000 fine and 60 days in jail. He must also pay court costs. In addition to time served, he will be allowed to finish his jail sentence on weekends and pay off his fine with a monthly payment of $25.
Ballard was also ordered to have no contact with the two victims in his case and is required to register as a sex offender. Despite reports of multiple victims, several of them his students, Ballard was set to be tried on only two victims’ reports due to the statute of limitations.
Ballard was arrested in March 2010.
