BENTONVILLE -- A woman is accused of trying to use electronic equipment and a photo of Marilyn Monroe as payment to have Circuit Judge Brad Karren killed.
Dorris Renee Jenkins, 36, and her fiance, Adan Taylor, 21, both of Springdale, are each being held on $1 million bond in the Benton County Jail. Jenkins was arrested Saturday in connection with conspiracy to commit capital murder and Taylor was arrested in connection with accessory to commit capital murder.
Prosecutors have not filed formal charges.
Jenkins was in the jail Thursday when she asked a fellow inmate, who was a confidential informant, if she knew someone who would "take out a judge," according to the affidavit.
Jenkins told the informant she wanted Karren killed and agreed to meet the informant after getting out of jail, according to court documents. The informant planned to introduce Jenkins to an undercover sheriff's detective, according to the affidavit.
The informant and detective met with Jenkins and Taylor on Saturday to discuss "the hit" and to hang out for the night, according to court documents. Detectives recorded the meeting.
Jenkins claimed Karren has been arresting members of her family since 1997 and she feels he is unfair, according to the affidavit. Jenkins said she had a list of 15 people she wanted killed. The deputy told her it was very expensive and Jenkins trimmed the list to two people, according to the affidavit.
The affidavit did not specify other names on the list.
Jenkins asked the undercover detective to kill Karren for a computer tablet and sound bar, according to the affidavit. The tablet was at Jenkins' home but the sound bar had been pawned, according to the affidavit.
Taylor said he would retrieve the sound bar and get it to the undercover detective as payment, according to the affidavit.
Jenkins also offered an original photographic print of Marilyn Monroe valued at $25,000 as additional payment, according to court documents.
A photo of Marilyn Monroe was reported stolen from a shop in the Farmington area last month by Mark Silva. Silva said he operates a vintage car business and also deals in a variety of collectables and memorabilia.
"This is so weird," Silva said Monday afternoon.
"Who else has a signed picture of Marilyn Monroe?" Silva said. "I'm positive that's the one."
Silva said he reported the theft to the Washington County Sheriff's Office about four weeks ago but hadn't heard anything about the picture or the stolen collectables, which he described as vintage Hot Wheels and Tonka vehicles. He said the memorabilia is bought and sold at vintage car shows he attends.
Kelly Cantrell, spokesperson with the Sheriff's Office, confirmed a report of a stolen Marilyn Monroe photograph was made May 10. She said the report can't be released because the investigation is active.
Silva said Monday he called the Benton County Sheriff's Office to see if he could get any information about the case and alert them to his stolen property report. Silva said he would value the stolen photograph at $1,500, but only with the accompanying letter of authenticity, which he said he still has.
"This is serious," Silva said. "This lady was offering it to someone to kill somebody."
Jenkins and Taylor appeared Monday in Circuit Judge Robin Green's court for bond hearings and the judge ordered neither to have any contact with Karren.
Jenkins is charged in an unrelated case with possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and three counts of failure to appear. The case was assigned to Karren's court, but Green will preside over both of Jenkins' criminal cases.
"I want to express my gratitude to law enforcement for keeping our families safe in Northwest Arkansas," Karren said.
Jenkins' and Taylor's arraignments are scheduled for June 18 in Green's court.
Tom Sissom contributed to this article.
NW News on 06/05/2018
