Two Former Benton County Road Department Employees Plead Guilty To Theft Charges

Scott Stober
Scott Stober

BENTONVILLE -- Two former Benton County employees admitted Monday they used county money for personal matters last year.

Scott Stober, Jackie Brown and Grant McCracken were arrested last summer in connection with a criminal investigation at the Road Department. A jury trial for the trio was scheduled to start today.

At A Glance

Scott Stober resigned as public services administrator for Benton County after his July 30 arrest.

Jackie Brown resigned as a road superintendent with the county after his Aug. 10 arrest.

Grant McCracken was fired as a road superintendent after his Aug. 10 arrest. He appealed his termination, but it later was upheld by a grievance committee.

Source: Staff Report

Stober, former public service administrator who oversaw the Road Department, pleaded guilty to theft of property, a Class C felony; and theft of services, a Class A misdemeanor.

Brown, a former supervisor with the Road Department, pleaded guilty to theft of property, a Class C felony; and theft of services, a Class A misdemeanor. A misdemeanor obstruction charge was dismissed.

The pleas were reached under an agreement Stuart Cearley, deputy prosecutor, reached with Joel Huggins, Stober's attorney, and Drew Miller, Brown's attorney.

Stober, 47, of Bella Vista purchased parts that totaled $1,487 from JAB Truck Transmission and Differential Co. to rebuild the rear differential on his truck, according to court documents. He also was accused of buying tires that totaled $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. He used the wood to build a deck at 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 was accused of using county money to paint his home.

Stober also was 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 accused of stealing more than $5,000 in taxpayer money to pay for personal expenses and also stealing money from selling property to Rogers Iron & Metal. Brown also directed other county 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 agreements and the guilty pleas.

Stober will serve 180 days in the Benton County Jail. Brown may have to serve 120 days in jail. The two also will be placed on state supervised probation under Act 346. That means the convictions can be expunged if they successfully complete probation.

Stober began to serve his jail sentence Monday. Huggins told the court Stober was ready to get the case behind him and he wanted to serve his sentence. Stober was taken into custody and transported to the county jail.

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

Formal sentencing for Stober and Brown is Sept. 11. The restitution amount they must pay to Benton County will be decided at that hearing.

McCracken, former Road Department superintendent, also appeared in court Monday. McCracken, 42, of Fayetteville did not have to plead guilty to misdemeanor accomplice to theft of property. His case was diverted. That means the charge will be dismissed if he follows the terms of the diversion. One of the terms is for McCracken to complete 30 days in the county work program.

The charge against McCracken involved a claim he helped Stober commit theft by picking up lumber from Ridout Lumber and taking it to Stober's home. The lumber was paid for with taxpayer money.

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."

NW News on 07/22/2014

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