Associated Press - November 18, 2009 7:34 AM ET

BENTON, Ark. (AP) - A former Shannon Hills police chief who was appealing his first-degree sexual assault conviction has pleaded guilty to second-degree sexual assault in the case.

Former Police Chief John Brown agreed to the plea deal in Saline County in exchange for his sentence being reduced from 25 to 15 years.

Brown admitted in a one-sentence note that he inappropriately touched a 15-year-old girl in July 2003.

Brown had been appealing his 2004 conviction in the case when he agreed to the deal. His attorney could not be reached for comment.

Under the new sentence he could be eligible for parole next December.

Deputy prosecutor Brian Clary says the deal was offered to bring closure to the victim and her family and to avoid further appeals.

Information from: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, http://www.arkansasonline.com

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