Former Izard County judge accused of forgery, money laundering
A former Izard County judge is accused of using his position to acquire property for his personal use. According to Jonesboro television station KAIT, David Sherrell is facing felony charges of forgery, theft of property and money laundering after a bench warrant was signed Wednesday by a circuit judge.
In the probable cause affidavit, an Arkansas State Police investigator reports Sherrell went to a local truck and equipment retailer to purchase two dump trucks for the county, and he allegedly purchased a used 20-ton trailer without authorization. The investigator says Sherrell asked the salesperson to increase the price of the dump trucks to include the price of the trailer allowing him to purchase it for free.
In June 2015, Sherrell reportedly signed two invoices for the trucks. He took personal possession of the trailer valued at $7,000 two days later. The next month, the Izard County Quorum Cort approved financing for the two trucks at a cost of $83,000. According to court documents, Sherrell never told the court the trailer’s price was included in the purchase.
Nearly four months later, Sherrell allegedly arranged for his son-in-law, Matt Orf, to sell the trailer to Izard County for $9,250. The circuit judge has also found probable cause to arrest and charge Orf with criminal use of property or laundering criminal proceeds.
Sherrell is also accused of purchasing a road grader for use on his farm. In June 2015, he went to another equipment retailer and selected two road graders valued at $143,000 and $20,00, but the investigator found a fraudulent invoice selling one road grader to the county for $163,000. A few days later, he presented the fraudulent bill of sale to salesperson Paul Shuttleworth who acknowledged the sale was fraud, but he signed it for fear of losing the sale. A warrant was also issued for Shuttleworth for second-degree forgery.
Sherrell presented the purchase of the grader to the quorum court for $163,000. He reportedly did not disclose the cost included $20,000 for the second road grader.
Before he left office in 2016, Sherrell allegedly made several other purchases from a third equipment company.
Sherrell was arrested Wednesday and released on $10,000 bond. Orf and Shuttleworth were arrested Thursday and released on their own recognizance.
_________________________________________________________________
Murder weapon’s purchasing leads to federal charges against Gassville man
A Gassville man, 28-year-old Talmadge Beigh Pendergrss, has been convicted in the United States District Court for the Western District of Arkansas for the federal felony offense of making a false statement in acquisition of a firearm.
Baxter County Sheriff John Montgomery says Pendergrass was indicted by a grand jury in January charging him with the crime. The indictment follows an investigation into Pendergrass having made a straw purchase of a handgun at a Mountain Home grocery and sporting goods store on or about November 6, 2015. The handgun he purchased was ultimately used by Nicholas Ian Roos in the murder of Donald Rice and Ladonna Rice the next day at their home along County Road 508 near Midway.
Sheriff Montgomery says evidence developed during the murder investigation found Roos had gone to the Mountain Home store accompanied by Pendergrass on November 6, 2015. Roos made application to purchase the handgun, but his application was denied by the background check, and he was not allowed to purchase the weapon. Video evidence from the store indicated Roos then took cash from a bag and handed it over to Pendergrass, who then made application to purchase the firearm. Pendergrass purchase was approved, and he took possession of the firearm. Pendergrass stated on the application form he was the actual buyer, when he was acquiring the firearm on behalf of another person, a violation of the law. Pendergrass turned the firearm over to Roos.
Montgomery says while there is no evidence to suggest Pendergrass had knowledge of Roos intent to use the firearm in the murders of Donald and Ladonna Rice, the indictment was still brought against him on the federal weapons charge. The judgment from the United States District Court indicates Pendergrass plead guilty to the charge in May and was sentenced on October 26 to sixteen months imprisonment in the Federal Bureau of Prisons, after which he will be on supervised probation for a period of three years.
Roos and co-defendants in the murder cases, Zach Tyler Grayham and Mikayla Jordan Mynk, remain incarcerated in the Arkansas Department of Correction.
_________________________________________________________________
Plan to handle Eaton cases under development
Shawn Eaton sits in the Baxter County jail charged with having inappropriate sexual contact with young girls.
Everyone agrees jail is not the place for the 21-year-old Eaton, who functions at a very low level mentally, and authorities are attempting to develop a plan ensuring society is protected without resorting to locking Eaton up in the state prison system.
Fourteenth Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney David Ethredge told KTLO News during a session of Baxter County Circuit Court Thursday he had a responsibility to ensure the public is safe from the type of behavior Eaton has exhibited. He also said locking Eaton up in prison did not appear to be the way to go given his condition, so it is hoped an acceptable alternative could be found. Ethredge said, however, if no acceptable plan could be developed, the state would proceed to trial in Eaton’s cases.
Circuit Judge Gordon Webb was on the bench Thursday, and he said he would make every effort to determine if there was a facility available meeting the twin goals of ensuring the public safety, as well as accommodating Eaton’s condition. Judge Webb said, “We are going to approach this with the safety of all concerned in mind.”
Eaton currently faces charges of sexual indecency with a child and two counts of second degree sexual assault. He was originally arrested in July of last year after Mountain Home Police were called to the Donald W. Reynolds Library. The victim in that case was an 11-year-old female who told officers a man — later identified as Eaton — came up to her in the library and touched her inappropriately. She told officers she pushed Eaton’s arm, he then stepped away a short distance and exposed himself.
There were other similar incidents afterward involving 10-and-11-year-old girls at a local business and outside a residence.
Eaton is alleged to have told investigators he engaged in such behavior frequently.
According to court records, in a guardianship case filed in late 2013, Eaton was described by a medical doctor as bipolar, and a guardian was appointed due to his condition.
Eaton was found not-fit-to-proceed by one doctor late last year and sent to the Arkansas State Hospital for treatment in mid-May. He was discharged after only a short time in the facility and declared fit-to-proceed in his cases. In a letter dated July 18th, the Forensic Service Program Coordinator with the Arkansas State Hospital said Eaton had “completed his inpatient restoration.”
_________________________________________________________________
Twin Lakes Area remembers Jerry Strobel
The Twin Lakes Area is mourning the loss of an area pastor and a prominent leader in the community. Gerald “Jerry” Strobel of Yellville died Friday at Baxter Regional Medical Center at the age of 72.
Strobel was born December 17th, 1944, in Fargo, North Dakota, but he spent most of his adult life in and around the Mountain Home area. He served as a local paster for over 40 years and was instrumental in the groundbreaking of the first Christian school in northern Arkansas. Later in his ministry, Strobel implemented “Character First” into local schools and area businesses.
Strobel had a devotion to area youth. He served many years as a mentor for at-risk youth and was always willing to perform a magic show as a way to connect with them.
Strobel also served as a board member for various civic organizations. During his time as the District Governor for the Lions Club, record-setting growth was achieved. He was also an area coordinator for Samaritan’s Purse-Operation Christmas Child, and that organization has experienced growth as well.
A memorial service for Jerry Strobel is scheduled for the morning of November 11th at 11:00 at East Side Baptist Church. Visitation will be from 10:00 until the time of the service. He is survived locally by his wife Theresa. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Samaritan’s Purse-Operation Christmas Child by mail to P.O. Box 3000, Boone, North Carolina, 28607, or online at samaritanspurse.org. Arrangements are by Conner Family Funeral Home and Cremation Center.
_________________________________________________________________
Food Bank to have new distribution center in Mountain Home
The Food Bank of North Central Arkansas completed the purchase Wednesday of the property that was once home to the Fred’s Super Dollar Store in Highland Circle. Food Bank Chief Executive Officer Jeff Quick says the new location will serve as the agency’s distribution center.
Listen:
Quick says Food Bank officials are hoping to open bidding in December for the remodeling of the facility.
Listen:
Quick says the thrift store and food pantry on the Norfork campus will remain in place to serve the residents of that community.
Listen:
Quick says the purchase of the property is the culmination of years of planning, an endeavor underway when he joined the Food Bank as a board member in 2009. The vision dates back to a planning grant from the Donald W. Reynold’s Foundation.
Listen:
Quick says the Food Bank has received significant gifts through the silent phase of the fundraising efforts leading to the purchase of the new property. However, funds are still needed for the remodeling.
Those wishing to financially support the initiative may send their checks to the Food Bank of North Central Arkansas and note building campaign on the memo line. Donations may also be made through the Food Bank’s website Food Bank and by selecting the Donate Now button.
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI