Hurley sentenced to 20 years

A local man arrested on a rape charge in June 2009 and a drug charge in February 2010 will face prison time as part of a plea agreement reached Tuesday.

According to Franklin County District Attorney Joey Rushing, Mark Anthony Hurley, 34, 522 Filmore Street, Russellville, pleaded guilty to a 20-year sentence for second-degree assault and unlawful possession of a controlled substance. The sentence will be split with Hurley serving three years and a day followed by five years of probation.

Hurley was originally charged with first-degree rape after being accused of forcing himself on a female victim after attending a party with her on June 6, 2009.

Hurley was released on bond but was arrested again in February of last year on drug charges.

Rushing said he discussed the plea agreement with the victim and decided the split sentence would be the best route to take.

“With the way things are today, people who receive 15 and 20 year sentences are being released in as little as six months,” Rushing said. “Split sentences help insure a defendant will at least serve a significant amount of time in jail and will be there for a definite period of time.”