By TAMARA JOHNSON
Managing Editor
A former Arkansas State Police officer has been charged with theft and forgery for allegedly stealing a large sum of money from a non-profit agency designed to help children with special needs.
Retired ASP Troop D Corporal Howard Smith, 49, of Forrest City, a 25-year veteran of the agency, was arraigned in St. Francis County District Court Thursday afternoon on charges of theft over $2,500 and six counts of forgery. Smith's bond was set at $95,000, just over the amount of money that he is accused of stealing from Special Olympics.
The State Police investigation developed information that would indicate irregularities in the way the donations were used by Smith, dating back at least three years.
According to an affidavit on file in district court, Smith worked as a volunteer raising money for Arkansas Special Olympics for several years, during which time he maintained a savings account at a local bank for collections.
The affidavit centers around transactions made between January 2000 and August 2002, at which time the account was closed. Court records claim $123,181.88 passed through the account during this time. When the account was closed, Smith forwarded $27,747.51 to the Special Olympics. The affidavit claims that the account should have incurred only about $1,007.70 in legitimate expenses in connection with raising the funds.
Arkansas State Police Investigator Sgt. Rick Dickinson with the Criminal Investigation Division said in the affidavit that Smith is alleged to have "converted to his own use $94,426.67."
The forgery charges stem from invoices regarding a variety of items believed to have been bought by Smith at local businesses. The items range from a shotgun and shells to restaurant receipts at a club.
The money involved in the forgery counts totals about $6,400. In these six counts, Smith is accused of forging invoices or receipts for items never received by Special Olympics.
According to a press release from ASP Headquarters in Little Rock, Smith resigned on Jan. 31 this year when the State Police launched an investigation based on allegations that he had allegedly pocketed money he collected in the name of Special Olympics.
"Speaking on behalf of every employee of the Arkansas State Police, we are incensed and embarrassed that someone who wore the badge of this agency may be involved in such a scheme," said State Police Director Colonel Don Melton. "I can assure the public that any allegation of a criminal violation on the part of an employee of this department will be investigated and criminal charges vigorously pursued if the allegations are substantiated. Criminal behavior on the part of any employee of this agency will not be tolerated."
Smith is being represented by Attorney Frank Morledge of Forrest City who preferred not to comment on the case.
Special Olympics Arkansas Area VIII Director Joey Astin of Forrest City said, "It is my sincere hope that any allegations of impropriety regarding Howard Smith and Special Olympic fundraising are proven to be unfounded. Until such time when all of the facts have been presented it would be inappropriate for me to comment further on the matter."
Smith's case will now be tried in St. Francis County Circuit
Court.
By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
Ice and snow this week have delayed the efforts of King Disposal in placing trash bins in the county, but according to Joe King, owner of the company, the bad weather won't stop him from making his deadline to begin his new duties as the county's garbage carrier.
According to King, who was granted the contract with the county in January, the recent weather has forced his company to make some adjustments in getting carts to county residents, but overall, plans are in line for him to take over garbage duties on Monday.
"This weather was tough, but it just forced us to make some changes in how we were getting the bins out to everyone. We've had to stage our trailer and use a truck to distribute the bins, but we've been able to get it done," he said.
"Even if we have to do some work on Saturday and Sunday, we'll meet our deadline so that we can get started on Monday. The only thing that will slow us down now is if the big trucks bringing our carts to us can't travel on the Interstate."
The inclement weather also caused some problems for the county's former garbage disposal company, B&B Disposal, based in Jonesboro.
According to Kurt Beason, co-owner of B&B, while garbage trucks were able to get to most houses, the company was not able to retrieve many of the garbage bins Tuesday and Wednesday.
"We were able to start picking up bins on Monday, but when this stuff came in, we just weren't able to put our big trailers out there to retrieve the bins because of the roads. We're asking that people just leave their bins out on the roads this week after we've picked them up and we will come through once the roads allow for pick up," Beason said.
According to King, problems at the West Helena landfill caused a few delays Wednesday to Forrest City customers who may have been missed on their normal pick-up date.
"The weather caused some problems for the landfill, and they had to close early because of the ice and snow. They were having to use their dozer to pull trucks out. The West Memphis landfill was closed due to the weather, so once our trucks filled, we had no place to dump them. We're back up and running, and we should be able to get to those we missed," King said.
King Disposal will begin their county pickup schedule on Monday, March 3.
A man and woman were arrested this morning after marijuana, crack cocaine and a pistol were found inside their residence.
Officers with the Forrest City Police Department had a search warrant for 211 Oak Street, the residence of Jerumel Depreist Berry, 26, and Melony Pendleton, 26.
During the search, officers seized a semi-automatic pistol, about 3.1 grams of crack cocaine, with an estimated street value of $310, and 34.3 grams of marijuana with an estimated street value of $160, and cash.
There was also a small child inside the house, who was turned over to a family member.
The residence is located within 1,000 feet of three churches and a city park, which are defined as "certain facilities" in the Arkansas Criminal Code.
Berry and Pendleton are both charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver near certain facilities, crack cocaine, a class Y felony, and marijuana, a class C felony, and simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms, also a class Y felony.
Each class Y felony carries a penalty of 10 to 40 years to life in prison. A class C felony carries a penalty of three to 10 years in prison. An additional 10 years may be added because of the house being near certain facilities.
Berry was also arrested on outstanding warrants for failure to appear out of St. Francis County District Court.
Both Berry and Pendleton were placed in the county jail pending arraignment.
By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
The snow and ice which fell on Forrest City this week won't end up causing near the problem that the ice storm which hit in December of 2000 did.
"There won't be any cost based on limbs and all that," said Mayor Larry Bryant. "We just pretty much did what we normally do. We paid some overtime, and that's pretty much the size of it. We tried to get on it early, and be proactive rather than reactive."
He continued, "I'd like to thank our Department of Public Works and Police Department for the efforts they put forth in making the streets safe. They've got a little system, where the Police Department calls the Public Works Department and they get on the stick. It worked well."
He said Wednesday night was a good example.
"When the police notified the Public Works people that the ground was freezing, they kicked into gear and got a truck out at about 11 p.m., putting out sand.
"We'll probably have to replenish our sand supply and that kind of thing, pay a little overtime, but other than that, we'll be in good shape," he said.
Due to the inclement weather, the Dr. Suess Birthday Celebration (Read Across America), originally scheduled for Monday, March 3, has been rescheduled for Monday, March 10, at the Forrest City Civic Center, at 6 p.m.
The Forrest City City Council will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 4, at city hall.
The council's finance committee will meet at 6:15 p.m., just prior to the regular council meeting.
The only business item on the agenda is an ordinance that would waive bid requirements for the purchase of a Jaws of Life for the fire department.