Convicted sex offender Stephanie Almand uses the alias Valerie Harper to work as a paralegal in a lawfirm
Almand/Harper was convicted of Sexual Assualt in the Third Degree, a Class C Felony on August 14, 2023.
In Arkansas, sexual offenses are categorized into four levels (1-4) based on risk of re-offense and the need for community notification. Level 1 is for low-risk offenders with no prior history, Level 2 for moderate-risk offenders with some prior history, Level 3 for high-risk habitual offenders, and Level 4 for sexually dangerous predators.
Almand's sentencing order had her listed as a level 4 offender - the most dangerous level.
Currently, she's ranked as a level 3 offender - a high risk habitual offender.
In June of 2021, Almand/Harper was a teacher at the Pulaski County Special School District and was arrested for an illegal sexual relationship with a minor student.
We covered her arrest and conviction in several stories:
https://www.smr.snarkymedia.com/2021/05/maumelle-high-school-teacher-stephanie.html
https://www.smr.snarkymedia.com/2021/06/lrpd-arrests-and-charges-stephanie.html
https://www.smr.snarkymedia.com/2021/06/court-file-reveals-text-message-contact.html
https://www.smr.snarkymedia.com/2023/08/stephanie-almand-former-pulaski-county.html
Our tipster brings up some valid questions about the convicted sex offender working for a lawfirm.
The attorney that Almand/Harper is working for has a history of handling child custody cases, divorce cases, child custody cases, paternity cases.
As the tipster stated:
In Arkansas, it is state law that bans Level 3 (and Level 4) registrants from working with or around children.
Specifically:
- Arkansas Code Annotated § 5-14-129(a)(1) makes it unlawful for a sex offender “who has been assessed as a Level 3 or Level 4 offender” to knowingly “engage in an occupation or participate in a volunteer position that requires the sex offender to work or interact primarily and directly with a child under sixteen (16) years of age.”
- Enforcement of that prohibition is through the criminal statutes in chapter 14 of title 5, with violations subject to prosecution by local law enforcement and the county or state prosecutor’s office.
Almand by using the alias Valarie Harper, indicates to us that she is trying to hide the fact that she is a convicted felon sex offender.
It's shady AF and that law firm is not doing themselves any favors.