The former public service administrator for Benton County pleaded not guilty to felony theft charges Monday.
Scott Stober of Bella Vista pleaded not guilty to theft of property, a Class D felony; and theft of property, a Class C felony; at his arraignment.
Stober, who oversaw the county Road Department, was arrested July 30. He is free on a $2,500 bond. He later resigned his position with the county.
Attorney Joel Huggins, representing Stober, declined to comment on the case Monday.
County Judge Robert Clinard met with Capt. Chris Sparks with the Benton County Sheriff’s Office about allegations against Stober. Clinard provided Sparks with receipts and invoices where Stober used county money for personal purchases, according to court documents.
Stober purchased parts totaling $1,487 from JAB Truck Transmission and Differential Co. to rebuild the rear differential on his truck. He also is accused of buying tires totaling $858 from Moore’s Tires in February, according to court documents. Stober told Sparks he purchased wood from Ridout Lumber with county money in July. He used the wood to build a deck onto his home, according to court documents.
At A Glance
Others Involved
Two other Benton County Road Department employees were arrested following Scott Stober’s arrest.
Jackie Dale Brown and Grant McCracken were arrested in connection with theft-related charges. Brown and McCracken have not had their arraignments. Prosecutors have filed charges against Brown and McCracken.
Brown told detectives he accepted cash in return for scrap metal sold by the county at Rogers Iron & Metal Co., according to a probable cause affidavit. Brown also told detectives he had three Road Department employees plant about 500 trees on his property while on county time and seed about an acre after the trees were planted, according to court documents. Brown also told detectives he bought a set of tires for his son’s truck using county money.
The misdemeanor charge against McCracken is in connection with him buying lumber used to build a deck at Stober’s home.
Brown, 50, a former road superintendent, was arrested Aug. 10. He is free on $2,500 bond. Brown is charged with theft of property, a Class C felony; theft of services, a Class A misdemeanor; and obstructing governmental operations, a Class C misdemeanor.
McCracken, 42, a former road superintendent, was arrested Aug. 10 and released on citation the same day. He is charged with theft of property/criminal accomplice, Class A misdemeanor.
Source: Staff Report
The affidavit states Stober, 46, told Sparks he purchased a toolbox for his county vehicle with county money, but then used the toolbox as a toy box for his children.
Stober also is accused of using county money in order to paint his home, according to court documents.
Theft of property is a Class D felony if the value of the property is $5,000 or less, but more than $1,000, according to Arkansas law.
The Class D felony concerns charges related to county funds. Stober is accused of stealing taxpayer money from Oct. 1, 2012, to July 5 in an amount exceeding $1,000 by purchasing items for himself, according to court documents.
Theft of property is a Class C felony when the value of the property is less than $25,000, but more than $5,000, according to state law. The Class C felony is not related to county property. Stober is accused of stealing a welder and water storage tank, along with piping valued at more than $5,000 from Walter Ericksen.
A omnibus hearing is set for 8:30 a.m. Oct. 21.