City official accused of trying to trade job for sex

— West Helena’s Parks and Recreation Department director was arrested Dec. 6 over accusations he exposed himself to a woman and promised her a job if she performed sexual favors for him, according to a probable-cause affidavit obtained Friday from the city’s Police Department.

Anthony Deuce Banks faces two counts of abuse of office, two counts of sexual assault and indecent exposure, according to a document released by the police. He is free on a $50,000 bond.

Helena West-Helena Mayor Arnell Willis suspended Banks with pay Monday, pending the outcome of the investigation.

In a letter to Banks, Willis directed him “not to go to the Helena Community Center or any other city facilities unless for personal reasons.”

Willis said in a news release that his “prayers are with Mr. Banks and his family as he fights to clear his name through the judicial system. I’d like to remind citizens that a person is innocent until proven guilty in the court of law.

“Mr. Banks deserves our patience to allow the court system to resolve this matter before rushing to a premature judgment.”

A message left for Banks at his Helena-West Helena home Friday afternoon was not immediately returned. A woman who answered the phone declined to give hername and would not comment. She said she was not related to Banks.

Officials at the Helena-West Helena District Court said Friday that they did not know the name of Banks’ attorney.

The suspension letter and probable-cause affidavit were obtained under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.

According to the probable-cause affidavit, Banks is accused of exposing himself Nov. 29 to a woman at the community center who was inquiring about possible employment.

As she exited the center’s bathroom, Banks rushed the woman back inside and asked her to “see what it feels like... in her mouth,” the affidavit said.

According to the affidavit, Banks told her that “all he wanted was 30 seconds of oral sex,” the woman told police.

The woman then explained to Banks that “she [would] rather get the job the honest way, and if she had to perform oral sex on him for the job she would rather pass on the job,” the affidavit said.

Banks continued to “get closer [to the woman] andproceeded to lick and suck on her neck ... rubbing and squeezing her buttocks,” the affidavit said, noting that he then asked for “15 seconds” of sexual intercourse.

The woman continued to tell Banks that she was uninterested in his advances, the affidavit said. Banks then told her that she could have a job paying $10 per hour, the affidavit said.

The advances stopped when the woman’s sister entered the building and called her name, the affidavit said.

Banks is scheduled for a court appearance Jan. 18.

Northwest Arkansas, Pages 9 on 12/15/2012

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