County assessor, aide face charges in misuse of cards

The Newton County assessor and deputy assessor have been arrested on felony theft counts, accused of buying $11,504 in personal items with county credit cards from 2010 through 2015, according to charges filed in Newton County Circuit Court.

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Assessor Sheila McCutcheon, 58, and Deputy Assessor Desiray McCutcheon, 35, both of Vendor, were arrested June 17 by the Arkansas State Police, said Bill Sadler, a spokesman for the agency.

The women were booked into the county jail in Jasper and released on their own recognizance, said Sheriff Keith Slape.

Desiray McCutcheon is Sheila's daughter-in-law, said Prosecuting Attorney David Ethredge of Mountain Home.

He said Sheila McCutcheon resigned Monday and Desiray McCutcheon no longer works for the assessor's office.

According to the charges filed by Ethredge, the Arkansas Legislative Audit examined purchases by the assessor's office and found they included several personal items, including groceries, on the county's credit cards. In December, the Arkansas State Police was called in to investigate.

On May 19, the women were interviewed and admitted using the credit cards to purchase personal items, according to the charges.

The purchases involved use of Wal-Mart credit cards that were meant for assessor's office supplies, according to a probable-cause affidavit from Ted Jones, a state police agent.

"Bank records were also obtained showing both Sheila and Desiray McCutcheon made personal payments to the credit card account," according to the affidavit.

Metro on 06/25/2016

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