Two former Benton County employees admitted Monday to using county funds and employees for personal matters.

Scott Stober, Jackie Brown, and Grant McCracken were arrested last summer in connection with a criminal investigaton at the road department. A jury trial for the trio was scheduled for Tuesday.

Stober, who was the county’s public service administrator who oversaw the department, pleaded guilty to theft of property, a Class C felony and theft of services, a Class A misdemeanor.

Jackie Brown, a former supervisor with the road department pleaded guilty to theft of property, a Class C felony and theft of property, a Class A misdemeanor. A misdemeanor obstruction charge was dismissed against Brown.

The third former road department employee — Grant McCracken — also appeared in court Monday. McCracken, 42, of Fayetteville, did not have to plead guilty to misdemeanor accomplice of theft of property. His case was diverted which means the charge will be dismissed if McCracken follows the the terms of the diversion. One term is for McCracken, a former road superintendent, to complete 30 days in the county work program.

A review hearing for McCracken is set for Aug. 3, 2015.

“I’m not that into civil or criminal procedures,” County Judge Bob Clinard said Monday. “I assume they’ve done what they would do with anyone else.They’ve come up with a solution that’s fair for them and not any different for them than it would be for anyone else.”

Stober, 47, of Bella Vista, purchased parts totaling $1,487 from JAB Truck Transmission and Differential Co. to rebuild the rear differential on his truck, according to court documents. He was also accused of buying tires totaling $858 from Moore’s Tires in February 2013.

Stober told the Sheriff's Office he bought wood from Ridout Lumber with county money in July and used the wood to build a deck onto his home. The affidavit states Stober 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 to paint his home.

Stober also is accused of stealing a welder and water storage tank, along with piping valued at more than $5,000 from Walter Ericksen.

Brown, 51, of Rogers was arrested in connection 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, of Fayetteville was arrested in connection with being an accomplice to theft of property, a Class A misdemeanor.

Brown was accused accused of stealing more than $5,000 in taxpayer money to pay for personal expenses and also stealing money from selling property sold to Rogers Iron & Metal. The theft of services charge involves an accusation Brown directed other employees to spend eight hours on his land planting trees while they were being paid with taxpayer money.

Circuit Judge Robin Green accepted the plea agreement and the men’s guilty pleas.

The plea agreement requires for Stober to serve 180 days in the Benton County Jail while Brown may have to serve 120 days in the jail. The two will also be placed on state supervised probation with Act 346, which means their convictions can be expunged if they successfully complete probation.

Stober began serving his sentence Monday.

Huggins told the court that his client was ready to get the case behind him and wanted to start serving his sentence.

Stober agreed with Huggins, but Stober did question why prosecutors did not have a restitution amount.

“I don’t understand why there’s no restitution numbers,” Stober said. “It’s been a year.”

Stober was taken into custody and transported to the jail to begin serving his sentence.

Miller told the judge that his client has an upcoming medical procedure and he expects to have witnesses to testify during the sentencing proceedings in hopes of convincing Green to deviate from the 120 days in jail.

Formal sentencing for Stober and Brown with be on Sept. 11.