The Sheriff’s Office is notifying the public that a rural Mountain Home man who had previously Registered as an unassessed Sex Offender at the Sheriff’s Office on June 22, 2012 has now been assessed by the State as a Level 3 (High Risk to Re-Offend) Sex Offender. 

NAME:                       ERIC LYNN SOEKEN 
 
DATE OF BIRTH:   04/04/1971 

HOME ADDRESS:  4025 Sycamore Springs Road
                                    Mountain Home, Arkansas 72653 

     The offender was convicted of Sexual Assault on a Child on 09/07/2006.  The involved the offender engaging in ongoing sexual contact with two female acquaintances beginning when they were approximately 3 to 5 years old and continuing, at least with one of the girls through the time she was 9 to 11 year old.  The offender was in a position of trust/authority with the victims. 

     The offender has a prior history of Sexual Exploitation of Children (2005).  The offense involved the offender engaging in frequent sexually explicit chats via the internet with a 14 year old female stranger.  He sent hundreds of pornographic images including images of child pornography.  He arranged to meet her and was arrested.  The offender acknowledged a prior sexual attraction to girls 3 and older. 

          This person is not wanted by law enforcement at this time.  This notification is not intended to increase fear; rather it is our belief that an informed public is a safer public.  This information cannot be used to threaten, intimidate, or harass Registered Sex Offenders.  Citizen abuse will not be tolerated.  Such abuse could potentially end law enforcement’s ability to do community notification.                                        

     /s/ John F. Montgomery
    Baxter County Sheriff