By THE ARKADELPHIAN
A former Gurdon school teacher accused of coercing a student into having sex was given a lifetime ban Tuesday from ever applying for a license to teach.
Aaron Cupp reached a plea deal this week in a 2021 case in which he was charged for sexual assault. The charge stemmed from allegations by a student that Cupp forced her to have sex in 2017.
Cupp, now 31, signed a plea statement Tuesday admitting to a lesser offense of third-degree battery.
In addition to the lifetime ban on teaching, the former coach was sentenced to a year of supervised probation and ordered to pay $2,700 in fines and court costs.
Cupp was represented by Little Rock attorney Bill James. Hot Spring County Prosecutor Teresa Howell represented the state.