Sheriff Kelley Cradduck will seek re-election while the focus of an investigation by the Arkansas State Police, according to Friday’s statement from Bill Adams, a campaign representative.
Adams and Cradduck’s attorney Drew Miller held a press conference Friday morning outside Miller’s office.
Cradduck was not at the press conference. Miller said he advised Cradduck not to attend the press conference.
Both Miller and Adams said Cradduck was innocent of any wrongdoing.
Jeremy Guyll, former jail captain, and Robin Holt, former jail lieutenant, filed grievances last week with the county after being demoted by Cradduck. They claim their demotions were retaliation for cooperating with the State Police investigation. No hearing for either grievance had been set as of Thursday.
Special agents with the State Police executed a search warrant Thursday at the Sheriff’s Office and seized files from the office.
Major Nathan Atchison and Dianna Goodwin also told State Police about Cradduck’s orders to back date the hiring date for Gabriel Cox, so he could get paid for time that he did not work, according to court documents. Guyll and Holt said they cooperated with the State Police’s investigation.
A special prosecutor has been appointed to handle the case. The prosecutor, Jason Barrett, works for the state Prosecutor Coordinator Office. His appointment Monday came at the request of Benton County Prosecutor Nathan Smith.