State police said the investigation began Aug. 29, 2025, when Fourteenth Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney David Ethredge requested the CID investigate allegations involving stolen funds from Boone County government accounts. In September 2025, prosecutors arranged for Arkansas Legislative Audit to conduct a financial review at the request of investigators.
The audit determined a Boone County employee had stolen funds from multiple county government accounts and related entities. Investigators said Hathaway was aware of misuse involving a county government credit card that exceeded $1,000 within a calendar year but failed to report the loss to Arkansas Legislative Audit as required under state law.
Following the investigation, special agents obtained arrest warrants for Hathaway, who was taken into custody Friday and booked into the Marion County Detention Center. He was released on bond less than two hours later. Arkansas State Police said the arrest is connected to a broader public corruption investigation in Boone County.
The case also includes the Feb. 18 arrest of April Dawn Benefiel, 44, who faces charges of tampering with physical evidence and hindering prosecution. Authorities identified Benefiel as the former program director for Grandmas House Childrens Advocacy Center in Harrison.
The investigation also led to the Feb. 13 arrest of Daniel Bolen, 46, former director of the Boone County Office of Emergency Management, on charges including abuse of office, theft of $25,000 or more, tampering with physical evidence and fraudulent use of a credit card.
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI