‘Epitome of a wolf in sheep’s clothing,’ former Bentonville youth minister gets 60 years for sexual abuse of boys

A teenage boy stood in a courtroom Friday and confronted the youth minister who sexually assaulted him and other boys.

The boy, identified as Victim No. 1 in court, told Keenan Hord he didn’t feel any hatred toward him — only indifference.

Hord, dressed in white and black jail clothing, stood nearby but didn’t look at the teen.

Hord, 33, of Centerton was a youth minister at Bentonville First Baptist Church.

He pleaded guilty to nine counts of sexual assault; three counts of distributing, possessing or viewing matter depicting sexually explicit conduct involving a child; and sexual indecency with a child. Ryan Jewell and Ben Catterlin, Hord’s attorneys, reached a plea agreement with Joshua Robinson, senior deputy prosecutor, to resolve the case.

Hord admitted to sexually assaulting the boys and possessing photographs or videos of nude boys.

Benton County Circuit Judge Brad Karren sentenced Hord to 6o years in the…