A Van Buren bail bondsman has been arrested after a sting investigation allegedly revealed he accepted prescription medication as payments for bonds.
Walter Goff was arrested by the Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver and possession of drug paraphernalia.
"It is very disturbing to think something like that's going on down here," said Christina Rose, a nearby resident.
A confidential informant told deputies she had received a bond in the past from Goff in exchange for prescription pain pills. A sting operation involving the confidential informant began Oct. 9, in which the source arranged with Goff to meet her at a local hotel and exchange pain pills for a bonding fee, according to the Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office.
Police monitored the meeting and arrested Goff after the exchange, authorities said.
"People look up to him that are incarcerated to bail them out but," said Steve McClain.
Goff was a licensed agent for GM Bail Bonds and was allowed to write bail bonds at the Sebastian County Detention Center, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
5NEWS reached out to GM Bail Bonds owner Steve Matthews. He declined to comment.