Former judge arrested on Bribery and Obstruction of Justice charges

LITTLE ROCK — A former local district court judge in Arkansas was arrested today in Little Rock on criminal charges related to his alleged solicitation of sex in exchange for agreeing to take action on a criminal case pending before his court.

According to court documents, Thomas David Carruth, 63, of Clarendon, was an elected judge of the Monroe County district court. In April 2022, Carruth allegedly solicited sex from the girlfriend of a defendant in exchange for expediting that defendant’s trial date. Carruth allegedly lied to FBI agents when questioned about the incident.

Carruth is charged by indictment with three counts of honest services wire fraud, three counts of using a facility in interstate commerce in furtherance of unlawful activity, one count of bribery, one count of making false statements, and one count of obstruction of justice. If convicted, Carruth faces up to 20 years in prison on the top counts.

Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S.

Attorney Jonathan D. Ross for the Eastern District of Arkansas, Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division, and Special Agent in Charge James A. Dawson of the FBI Little Rock Field Office made the announcement.

The FBI Little Rock Field Office is investigating the case with the assistance of the Arkansas State Police.

Trial Attorney Lauren Britsch Slater of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney J.

William Crow for the Eastern District of Arkansas are prosecuting the case.

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JONESBORO — A 15year-old student at Jonesboro High School, 301 Hurricane Drive, was arrested Wednesday after police said he pointed a loaded .22-caliber pistol at another student.

The suspect, whose name wasn’t released because of his age, pointed the gun at a 17-year-old student who entered a restroom at the school at about 2 p.m., a police report said.

The victim told officer Rayonica Thomas that while in the restroom the suspect reached into his right pocket and pulled out a firearm. He said the suspect then pointed it at as though he would shoot him.

The suspect then pulled the slide on the firearm and showed him than the gun was loaded. The victim said the suspect laughed and stepped away so the victim could leave the restroom.

Thomas wrote in her report that the victim notified her of the incident and they located the suspect in a classroom. She escorted the suspect out of the classroom and to the school office.

Thomas wrote that during a frisk of the suspect, a “solid object hit the knuckles on my right hand. I then then cuffed Arrestee No. 1 … I searched his person and found a Jennings .22 caliber pistol in the right pocket of basketball shorts he had on underneath his joggers.

“I removed the firearm and removed the magazine. I then ejected a bullet out of the chamber.”

Thomas searched the back pack the suspect had, but found nothing else.

The suspect was found to be on juvenile probation and was transported to the Craighead County Juvenile Detention Center.

The 15-year-old faces charges of possession of a handgun by a minor on school property and aggravated assault, both felonies. Jonesboro police Sgt. Brian Arnold of the department’s Criminal Investigation Division wrote that the case was being turned over to the Craighead County Juvenile Office.

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Inauguration to showcase Arkansas talent

LITTLE ROCK — Governor-elect Sarah Huckabee Sanders today announced that all the musical entertainment at her upcoming inaugural events will showcase the best of Arkansas.

Featured Arkansas entertainers across the celebration will include Justin Moore, Joe Nichols, Collin Raye, Zach Williams, Capitol Offense featuring former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Drumline, Philander Smith College Choir, Ouachita Baptist University Singers, Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, and the 106th Army National Guard Concert & Jazz Bands.

“I am honored that some of Arkansas’ premiere entertainers are going to help showcase the music and culture of our state,” Sanders said. “From country to rock and roll, Arkansas has provided the world with some of the best entertainers the United States has to offer, and it’s going to be exciting to showcase several of them at my inauguration.”

Sanders announced in November that the occasion will commence on Saturday, Jan. 7 with Freedom Fest in the afternoon followed by Bourbon & Cigars with the First Gentleman that evening.

Tuesday, Jan. 10 will begin with a Prayer & Worship Service before the state’s new First Family proceeds to the Capitol where the Governor-elect will take the oath of office and deliver her inaugural address. The celebration and day will conclude with the Governor’s Inaugural Ball at the Statehouse Convention Center.

All the events will reflect the inaugural theme—A New Generation—and beautifully showcase Arkansas and its wonderful people, food, music, and culture.