BENTON COUNTY (KFSM) – Benton County Judge Bob Clinard was cited Friday (Aug. 22) on suspicion of public intoxication, officials said Saturday (Aug. 23).
Benton County Sheriff Kelley Cradduck said the incident happened around 7:30 p.m. on Friday at the Frisco Festival in Rogers. He said two deputies were alerted by citizens at the festival of a male who was “very drunk and falling down.”
Deputies found Clinard leaning against a car, trying to use his cellphone, Cradduck said. Clinard was pressing buttons on his phone and saying the numbers out loud, the sheriff said. The judge told deputies he was trying to call his wife for a ride but could not get a hold of her, according to Cradduck.
The deputies said the judge had a very strong odor of alcohol on his breath. Cradduck added that Clinard had cuts on both of his knees and elbows, and one of his shoes was broken.
The deputies escorted Clinard toward their vehicles. During the walk, the judge appeared to be in a highly intoxicated state, Cradduck said. He was unsteady on his feet and nearly fell several times, the sheriff said.
At one point the judge told the deputies he may need medical attention, so the deputies called for an ambulance, Cradduck said. While waiting for the ambulance, Clinard said to one of the deputies, “My wife is going to kill me,” Cradduck said.
When paramedics arrived, they told the deputies Clinard’s heart rate was elevated and felt he needed to be transported, Cradduck said. The judge was taken by ambulance to a local hospital.
Deputies later located Clinard’s county-owned vehicle. The vehicle was unlocked and was taken to the sheriff’s office for safe-keeping, Cradduck said.
Clinard is scheduled to appear in Rogers District Court on Oct. 7 at 9 a.m., records show.
