YELL COUNTY, Ark. — The Arkansas State Police (ASP) has arrested 49-year-old Chastity Gault — who is the wife of Yell County Sheriff Nick Gault — after an investigation allegedly discovered around $40,000 was missing from accounts she managed at the sheriff's department.
According to an audit conducted by Arkansas Legislative Auditor Jimmy Locke, the funds missing were from the following accounts between Jan. 1, 2023, and March 8, 2024:
- Dardanelle Virtual Justice: $9,374
- Dardanelle Restitution: $3,965
- Paper Service: $26,643
The investigation allegedly revealed Chastity handled all collections and deposits for the Dardanelle accounts. According to the affidavit, other employees assisted with collecting payments for Paper Service, but Chastity was responsible for deposits between Jan. 1, 2023, and Feb. 1, 2024.
"Gault admitted to taking cash that she collected for payments at her office and using it for personal purchases," the affidavit said.
Locke reportedly found "unreceipted checks totaling $9,374" written by Chastity. The money was moved from the Restitution account to the Virtual Justice account "in an apparent attempt to conceal the cash that she stole," the affidavit said.
Chastity allegedly admitted to taking around $4,000, but she said she didn't know anything about the missing funds from the Paper Service account. She said she did not handle deposits for the account, the affidavit said.
Alleged thefts in the Paper Service account stopped in Feb. 2024. Investigators said the chief deputy confirmed he took over responsibility for the account from Chastity in the same month the thefts stopped.
ASP arrested and charged Chastity with theft of property after she surrendered at the Yell County Detention Center on Aug. 21. According to ASP, she was booked and released on personal recognizance by Special Judge Randy Wright.
"I am deeply troubled to learn of today's arrest," Yell County Judge Jeff Gilkey said. "The defrauding of the people of Yell County is unacceptable and those who choose to do so have no business in government."
In a statement, Gilkey assured residents that the accounts managed by Chastity were under "exclusive control" by the sheriff's office. He said they were not peer reviewed by the county clerk, county treasurer, or county judge, but they are audited by the state every year.
"Moving forward, Yell County will by ordinance install policies to safeguard against these actions we have never seen before," Gilkey said.
Chastity will appear in court on Sept. 5.
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