BRYANT, Ark. — A former Bryant High School teacher has now been sentenced to prison for her involvement in sexual activity with a minor.
33-year-old Heather Hare of Conway was sentenced to 13 years in prison for "transporting a minor across state lines for the purpose of unlawful sexual activity."
According to the indictment letter obtained from the United States District Court Eastern District of Arkansas, Hare "knowingly persuaded" a minor to engage in sexual activity from about August 2021 to about April 24, 2022.
Hare was first arrested in April 2023 on felony charges of first-degree sexual assault. Later on, Bryant police stated that another student had come forward, which led investigators to seek additional charges of first-degree sexual assault.
She was indicted on August 1, 2023, and charged with one count of interstate/foreign travel for prostitution/sexual activity by coercion, as well as one count of transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity.
In exchange for her guilty plea, her remaining charge was dismissed.
“The FBI takes crimes against children very seriously,” said Special Agent in Charge Alicia D. Corder, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Little Rock Field Office. “Today’s sentencing shows that the federal government will continuously work to identify, investigate, and prosecute individuals who abuse their position of trust and authority to exploit children in our community.”
Aside from her 13-year-long prison sentence, she was also sentenced to serve a lifetime of supervised release.
The years-long investigation was done by the FBI, Saline County Sheriff's Office, and the Bryant Police Department.
