FORT SMITH (KFSM) -- The U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas announced Tuesday (August 11) he is stepping down later this month, according to a media release.
Conner Eldridge will be resigning from the position effective August 21 and Kenneth Elser, currently Eldridge's First Assistant U.S. Attorney, will serve as acting U.S. Attorney upon Eldridge's departure.
The 37-year-old was appointed to the post in December 21, 2010.
"I am extremely proud of the work we have done to make communities throughout Arkansas safer places to live," Eldridge said in the release. "We have focused on prosecuting those who bring crime and violence onto streets across our state, threaten our children, and defraud hard-working Arkansans. I am confident that work has made a difference."
During his tenure, Eldridge prioritized crimes that have an effect on children, including cases involving cases involving sexual abuse of children and child pornography, human trafficking and violent crime, according to the release. Eldridge also led the prosecution of numerous large-scale, violent drug trafficking organizations, violent crimes resulting in serious injury or death, and crimes involving fraud that resulted in significant financial losses to a large number of individuals and institutions, the release states.
"It has been a privilege to stand alongside law enforcement, prosecutors, and community leaders to confront crime and to work to make sure that we create an environment that gives all kids in our state a chance to succeed," Eldridge said in the release.
Eldridge also focused on prosecuting public corruption, bringing cases against a County Judge and County Treasurer for bribery and theft of public funds, according to the release. Under Eldridge’s leadership, the office has prosecuted 120 defendants that committed crimes involving children, the release states.
Eldridge also started and recently announced the “A-Chance” program which will begin in 13 schools in six counties in the Western District of Arkansas, according to the release. “A-Chance” stands for Arkansas Cultivating Healthy Attitudes and Nurturing Children to Excel.
The A-Chance Program directly addresses the goal of mitigating negative impacts on children exposed to violence and trauma by identifying children that have come into contact with law enforcement and ensuring that school personnel are aware of that fact, the release states. The program will be implemented by school districts and law enforcement agencies in Washington, Sebastian, Crawford, Union, Clark, and Ouachita Counties.