Washington County leaders release Arkansas State Police report alleging long-running misuse of sheriff’s office property and funds

Washington County Judge Deakins told the Quorum Court on Sept. 16 that the county had posted an Arkansas State Police investigative file obtained via public-records request that alleges long-running misuse of county equipment and funds at the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.

The judge said the packet includes the State Police criminal-investigations division report and a county investigation, and he read excerpts that the county said show equipment purchased with taxpayer money was used on private property, cash from scrap-sales was kept outside county accounting, and internal controls were weak or absent.

The release matters because the county judge and state investigators recommended structural changes and noted potential civil remedies. “The special prosecuting attorney stated this investigation would be better handled as an illegal exaction case rather than a criminal case,” the judge said, quoting the prosecutor, and added that the prosecutor “did not exonerate anyone.” The judge told residents that “any citizen of the county can sue to address this violation in court” under Article 16, Section 13 of the Arkansas Constitution.

Chief Mike Stewart, who presented findings alongside County Counselor Baker, read passages attributing systemic problems to maintenance-shop practices, undocumented scrap-metal proceeds and untracked use of equipment. Stewart said investigators found instances in which county-owned equipment — including a skid steer purchased for roughly $104,000 — logged only a few hours of use at county facilities but many additional hours while located at an employee’s private property. The report also described missing or damaged tools and alleged that some scrap proceeds were handled outside required county deposits.

Investigators cited witness accounts that described restricted access to the maintenance shop, cash kept in personal vehicles or glove compartments (one reported amount was $2,510.32), and transfers or moves that discouraged reporting. The report also describes recycling of brass and vehicle parts with proceeds allegedly distributed informally, and the use of 3-09 inmates in scrap and equipment handling with related process concerns.

The presenters said internal sheriff’s-office inquiries were judged inadequate by the Arkansas State Police and by independent legal review. Stewart read the State Police conclusion that “this investigation underscores significant systemic issues within the sheriff’s office, emphasizing the urgent need for reform and enhanced accountability to safeguard public resources and uphold ethical standards.” He and the judge urged the Quorum Court and public to review the released records.

The report recommended several administrative changes, including centralizing maintenance, IT and human-resources functions under county departments, tightening purchasing-card and cash-handling procedures, auditing scrapyard transactions tied to implicated employees, and returning any misappropriated funds to the county treasury. The presenters also recommended reviewing compliance with the 3-09 inmate work program and suggested reassigning jail maintenance duties to Buildings and Grounds.

Judge Deakins emphasized the cultural element identified in the reports, saying witnesses described a “toxic” workplace where employees feared retaliation and where some leaders allegedly covered for one another. The judge and presenters declined to propose immediate personnel actions during the meeting; instead they presented the documents to the Quorum Court and said follow-up items would be considered in future public meetings or legal processes.

The sheriff’s office leadership and Sheriff Cantrell were repeatedly referenced in the reports and in public remarks, and the presenters said they had attempted to be collaborative with the sheriff’s office but had been rebuffed. Several parts of the investigative material were redacted in the county’s posted copy; the judge said redacted and unredacted materials had been released consistent with legal requirements.

The county judge and presenters said the documents were provided to the public after a FOIA request for the Arkansas State Police file; the county’s own investigation and the State Police report are now available on the county website’s reports section, the judge said. They encouraged citizens and Justices of the Peace to read the materials and to ask questions in future meetings.

No formal Quorum Court action or vote on employment or disciplinary measures was taken at the meeting. The county judge asked members to review the material and to be prepared to craft or support structural reforms and audits in later sessions.