By Samantha McClain

Managing Editor – Online

Bryan Sexton, chief deputy of the Benton County Prosecutor’s Office, won his election against former colleague Sarah Phillips in Tuesday’s balloting. In preliminary, unofficial results, Sexton received 56% of the vote to Phillips’ 44%.

Sexton told the Eagle View that in September he will have 18 years of experience in the prosecutor’s office, and he had wanted the job of Prosecuting Attorney since he graduated from law school. He is on staff in the prosecutor’s office and has handled many cases, ranging from juvenile to capital murder. Sexton trained officers in the NorthWest Arkansas Community College Child Advocacy Studies program, investigating child abuse cases, such as physical evidence collected from the scene and how to give medical attention to an abused child. 

Part of the job as chief deputy is to take over for the prosecutor if they are unavailable and learn how to handle dealing with policies. According to bentoncountyar.gov, the prosecuting attorney is responsible for all criminal prosecution of state crimes in Benton County and represents Benton County and the Quorum Court on all civil matters. 

Sexton’s top priority as Prosecuting Attorney is implementing the Protect Arkansas Act and educating other prosecutors. He also wants to work with law agencies and law enforcement to prepare cases and streamline the process. 

“There is this perception in the media that is looked down upon,” he said. “There are a lot of opportunities for students going into law, and law enforcement cares about the community.”

Phillips is senior manager of the Global Threat Management Team at Wal-Mart Inc. and was a former sex crimes prosecutor who specialized in crimes against children. 

After Nathan Smith resigned in October 2023, people contacted her and encouraged her to join the race, Phillips said. Phillips had been practicing law during and after law school at the University of Arkansas School of Law and was a prosecutor for Benton County from 2016 until the fall of 2022.

Phillips’ priorities as prosecuting attorney would have been to bring better speed and efficiency in cases, fairness and impartiality, and more significant consideration of community safety. Phillip said cases take a long time to go through.  “We should feel safe in our community,” Phillips said.

College students should go for it and talk to many people, Phillips said. There are so many people in the law field, and students do not have to be fearful to speak to people and ask questions, Phillips said.

The first time running was exciting, and one of the things that Phillips did was knocking on thousands of doors and feeling remarkable appreciation for the people. “People like to talk about change until it costs something. It does cost, but if you are dedicated to changing something, you can do it.” Phillips said.

Smith resigned as Benton County Prosecutor on Oct. 9, 2023, after holding his position since 2015. Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders appointed Joshua Robinson as interim prosecuting attorney.