An unsuccessful effort was made in Baxter County Circuit Court Thursday to reduce the bond set in a growing number of cases filed against Rashel Katrina Farnam of rural Mountain Home.While the defense asked for a bond of no more than $7,500 to cover all three of her cases, Judge Gordon Webb denied that request and set a $10,000 unified bond to cover her cases. If Farnam is able to make bond, Judge Webb ordered her to have no contact with the victims or witnesses involved in her cases, not to use drugs or alcohol and to report to the Arkansas Department of Community Corrections office each Monday for drug testing.
Defense attorney Mark Cooper told the court Farnam has three children who need her and had a residence arranged. Cooper said Farnam had been in the county jail for the last 20 days. He said the defense was not recommending an ankle monitor be made a requirement of the bond because Farnam couldn’t afford the cost of the monitor.
The 30-year-old Farnam is charged with two counts of second degree forgery, as well as charges stemming from the alleged theft of jewelry and other items with an estimated value of up to $50,000 from the home of relatives.
Farnam also faces two counts of terroristic threatening in the theft case based on allegations she threatened the lives of the victims. Those victims have taken out orders of protection against Farnam requiring her to stay away from them.
David Ethredge, 14th Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney, said the state was strongly opposed to a bond of no more than $7,500 for Farnam. He said one of the main concerns was the safety of the victims in the theft case in light of her alleged threats.
Her latest charges, including resisting arrest; possession of methamphetamine; and drug paraphernalia, came after she was arrested July 16th. Farnam herself called dispatch and said she wanted to speak to an officer. Police went to Clysta Willett Park and found Farnam who appeared to be under the influence of some substance. She asked to go to the restroom at one point during the encounter. She was not allowed to go into the facility with her purse, but was allowed to take what she needed from it.
Officers reported seeing Farnam take a loaded syringe and spoon from the purse and attempt to conceal the items. Officers then moved in to restrain her and the items fell to the ground. Farnam became combative and resisted the officers. A stun gun was used to force compliance and she was placed under arrest.
A field-test was conducted on the substance in the syringe and it indicated positive for methamphetamine.
Farnam also faces forgery charges. It is alleged that she made alterations to the title of a 2001 Ford pickup truck to make it appear that the vehicle had been sold to her. Among discrepancies noted on the bill of sale was the misspelling of the previous owners name in two places.
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