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Benton Co. Sheriff Arrested On Suspicion Of Felony Tampering With Public Records

BENTON COUNTY (KFSM) — Officials said the Benton County Sheriff Kelley Cradduck was arrested Tuesday afternoon (Jan. 19) in the Benton County Sheriff̵...

BENTON COUNTY (KFSM) -- Officials said the Benton County Sheriff Kelley Cradduck was arrested Tuesday afternoon (Jan. 19) in the Benton County Sheriff's Office.

He has since been released on his own recognizance.

Benton Co. Sheriff Arrested On Suspicion Of Felony Tampering With Public Records

Cradduck is facing a class D felony for tampering with public records and a class A misdemeanor for tampering, according to the Benton County prosecutor.

Special prosecutor Jason Barrett has been appointed to oversee the investigation.

Cradduck has since been released, and has resumed his role as the acting sheriff, the prosecutor said. Benton County Coroner Daniel Oxford was the acting sheriff for the brief period while Cradduck was detained.

 

Cradduck's court date is scheduled for Feb. 29.

Three grievances have been filed against Cradduck, two in October 2015 and one earlier this year, which was not taken up by the Benton County Grievance Board.

Cradduck is currently under investigation with the state police for allegedly asking employees to backdate hiring records for a former Benton County Sheriff's Officer jailer, Gabriel Cox.

In grievance hearings filed by Benton County deputies Robin Holt and Jeremy Guyll, Cox is mentioned as having been hired by Sheriff Cradduck, as well as living with him, according to the documents.

Cox, who is 19 and a friend of Cradduck's son,  was fired in early January after receiving a citation for misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance.

Cradduck has dismissed the accusations brought against him so far, saying they were all made to impact his chances at re-election.

Cradduck is seeking a third term as sheriff and is running against fellow Republicans Tim Filbeck, Shawn Holloway, Paul Pillaro and independent candidate Glenn Latham.

Cradduck released the following statement late Tuesday afternoon:

"There is nothing new to this information I will have my day in court, and am very confident that I will be vindicated. I would like to thank everyone who has reached out and continues to show support, prayers and love. I am not dropping out of the race, I'm going to stick to my message on what I plan to do to keep Benton county safe."

 

 

 

 

 

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