BENTONVILLE — Man Gravett, a convicted sex offender who founded a humble faith-based transitional living facility, has been accused of sexually assaulting one of its residents.
Thomas Gilman Hartman, 53, was released on $150,000 bail after being arrested on suspicion of sexual assault and possession of a firearm by one person.
He and his wife founded the Wings of Peace NWA, whose dwelling could accommodate 12 to 16 men, according to affidavits of probable cause.
According to an affidavit, the 23-year-old told authorities that he had met Hartmann four or five years ago and considered him a father figure. The man said Hartman had sex with him on several occasions, the affidavit states.
According to an affidavit, the man said he felt trapped because he was on probation and out on bail and believed Hartman was playing mind games with him because he had nowhere else to go.
According to the affidavit, he is on probation and has told authorities that Hartman released him from prison and therefore needs to live at the location. He believed Hartman would have kicked him out if he hadn’t complied with sexual contact, the affidavit states.
According to the affidavit, in an interview with investigators Hartman admitted to having had sex with the man on several occasions, but said he considered the contact consensual.
Hartman said, according to the affidavit, that the man lived in Hartman’s house, not in the house on the property where the other men lived. The man said he knew him as a “pastor” and frequently preached and preached to the group.
According to court documents, he is accused of using his clerical position to engage in sexual acts with men.
According to court documents, Hartman is listed as a Level 3 sex offender. He was convicted of second-degree child sexual assault on his May 18, 1998, and was released on parole on September 10, 2003, according to court documents.
According to court documents, agents searched Hartman’s residence and found a rifle.
Benton County West District Judge Jeff Connor ordered Hartman to have no contact with the man.
Hartman’s arraignment is scheduled for February 27 at 8:00 a.m. in the courtroom of Benton County Circuit Court Judge Brad Cullen.
Hartman was arrested on January 20 after serving a search warrant at Wings of Peace at 14720 Xipe Road in Gravet, according to a Benton County Sheriff’s Office news release. The warrant was issued based on information received by the Illegal Drugs and Firearms Division of the Sheriff’s Office, according to the release.
Five other men were arrested on charges ranging from violating probation to obstructing government business.
Wings of Peace was incorporated in Arkansas in May 2021 and was recognized as a non-profit organization by the IRS as a 501(c)3 in October 2021, according to information posted on the organization’s website last week. .
Thomas Hartmann