Three people, including a former Boone County official and the current Boone County Judge, are facing charges following a multi-agency investigation into alleged financial misconduct involving county funds.According to probable cause affidavits filed in Boone County Circuit Court, Daniel Louis Bolen, April Dawn Benefiel and Robert Daniel Hathaway have each been charged in connection with the case.
The investigation began in August 2025 after Prosecuting Attorney David Ethredge requested the Arkansas State Police investigate alleged theft of Boone County government funds. A legislative audit was conducted focusing on the Boone County Sheriff’s Office Reserve Deputy Association, Boone County Search and Rescue Association, Boone County 911 and the Boone County Office of Emergency Management.
Daniel Bolen
Bolen, who previously served in multiple county roles including 911 coordinator and treasurer for the reserve deputy and search and rescue associations, is charged with theft of property, abuse of office, tampering with physical evidence and fraudulent use of a credit card.
Audit findings allege Bolen took approximately $27,236 from the reserve deputy association over three years and approximately $25,622 from the search and rescue association. Investigators also allege misuse of a county-issued credit card totaling thousands of dollars in unauthorized purchases.
According to the affidavit, Bolen admitted during a post-Miranda interview to misusing his county credit card and stealing approximately $20,000 between the two associations.
Bolen waived formal reading of the warrant and posted a $25,000 bond.
April Benefiel
April Dawn Benefiel is charged with tampering with physical evidence and hindering prosecution.
Investigators allege Benefiel instructed a mutual acquaintance to contact Bolen and tell him to destroy his phone after learning of the criminal investigation. A recorded phone call referenced in the affidavit reportedly includes Benefiel admitting she directed the message.
The affidavit also references allegations of an extramarital relationship between Benefiel and Bolen, as well as claims that Bolen gave Benefiel’s daughter extra time on her 911 timesheet for hours not worked.
Benefiel posted a $10,000 bond, waived formal arraignment and the reading of the warrant. Her attorney entered a not guilty plea on her behalf Monday.
Robert Hathaway
Robert Daniel Hathaway, identified in the affidavit as Boone County Judge and Bolen’s supervisor, is charged with abuse of public trust and failure to report by a public employee.
According to investigators, Hathaway acknowledged during interviews that he was aware Bolen had been making personal purchases with a county credit card and reimbursing the county. The affidavit states Hathaway admitted he was aware of a statutory obligation to report apparent misuse of public funds to Arkansas Legislative Audit but did not report Bolen by name or disclose the ongoing personal purchases.
Hathaway was released on his own recognizance.
The investigation remains ongoing as auditors continue reviewing additional potential criminal issues at the direction of the prosecuting attorney.
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