Douglas Starkey (Photo courtesy of Marion County Sheriff’s Office)
A Yellville man who has served on the Marion County Regional Airport Board of Directors for 30 years, including time as treasurer, has been arrested for stealing over $177,000 from the airport. Sixty-six-year-old Douglas E. Starkey was arrested Monday afternoon on two felony charges following an 11-month investigation by a special agent with the Arkansas State Police (ASP).
According to the probable cause affidavit, in June of last year, 14th Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney David Ethredge received a report of the missing funds. A legislative audit was requested and the completed reports were turned over to the special agent in early April.
The audit revealed Starkey, since 2017, had stolen $117,696 from two separate airport accounts. Starkey had written checks to himself to facilitate the theft.
The ASP special agent conducted interviews with witnesses including John Dyess, another member of the airport board. Dyess says Starkey confessed to him he had taken the money. Starkey, while texting Dyess, agreed to pay the money back, however, he could not come up with the money.
Following the audit, the special agent met with Starkey. He admitted to stealing a certificate of deposit worth $75,000. After depleting that, he continued to write checks to himself. He was unable to give a specific amount he had stolen from the airport, but said the figures presented in the audit appeared accurate.
Starkey is charged with theft of property and abuse of office, both felonies. He is free after posting $25,000 bail.
His term on the airport board runs through April of 2027. Marion County Judge Jason Stumph tells KTLO, Classic Hits and The Boot news he has a meeting planned Tuesday morning with the chairman of the airport board to discuss Starkey’s position.
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