LITTLE ROCK — A federal grand jury this week indicted a Grant County Quorum Court member who is a retired Sheridan police chief on charges of embezzlement and mail fraud.
David R. Hooks, 55, is accused of misappropriating $60,000 in city funds during his time as police chief to buy guns, auto parts, grooming supplies and clothes, U.S. Attorney Jane Duke announced Wednesday.
Investigators say Hooks used a city-issued credit-card or vendor accounts with Wal-Mart and other stores to buy the items or pay for such services as veterinary care that were unrelated to city business.
When reached at home Wednesday evening, Hooks said he did not know he had been indicted. He denied any wrongdoing and said he had no intention of resigning from the Quorum Court.
He declined to discuss details of the case.
"I'll have to get with my lawyer and all before I make a statement," he said.
The indictment comes eight months after FBI agents raided City Hall, the Police Department and Hooks' home.
The first inquiry began months before, when Sheridan detectives began a covert internal investigation into Hooks. They turned over the department's findings to the FBI.
At Hooks' home, agents seized receipts and items that confirmedthe misappropriations, Duke said in a prepared statement.
Authorities say the crimes took place over five years. The embezzlement charge comes under a statute that pertains to stealing from an organization that receives federal funds. It can draw punishment of up to 10 years prison time, and mail fraud is punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
Offenders can be fined up to $250,000 for each count.
"Taxpayers are entitled to expect and demand honest service from their elected and appointed officials," Duke said in the statement. "Hopefully, through this indictment and others like it, we are sending a clear message that violations of the public trust will not be tolerated."
Hooks took a paid leave of absence after the raid and retired in May.
He had been with the department more than two decades.
He ran unopposed for his second term as justice of the peace serving District 11.
Arkansas, Pages 13 on 11/08/2008