FORT SMITH -- A River Valley man charged with more than a dozen federal crimes has been granted permission to represent himself in court.
U.S. District Judge P.K. Holmes granted Billy Joe Taylor's motion for self-representation July 26, according to court records.
Ken Osborne, whom the court appointed April 15 to represent Taylor, will serve as standby counsel going forward, according to the judge's order. Osborne may help Taylor in complying with basic rules of court protocol and procedure such as introducing evidence, objecting to testimony and completing routine tasks. Taylor will control the organization and content of his defense and may use or reject Osborne's advice as he sees fit.
Osborne also will stay current on the case in the event the court orders him to take over Taylor's representation, the order states.
Taylor, 43, of Lavaca pleaded innocent Nov. 23 to 16 charges of health care fraud and one charge of money laundering after being indicted Nov. 2. U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark E. Ford said Taylor faces up to 10 years in prison for each count if found guilty, as well as fines.
Taylor was released May 26, 2021, on a $100,000 secured bond with conditions, according to court records. However, Ford ordered Dec. 20 that Taylor's bond be revoked and Taylor be remanded to U.S. Marshals Service custody after finding he violated the conditions. He is being held at the Washington County Detention Center in Fayetteville.
Taylor's motion for self-representation states a "revolving carousel of counsel" has represented him in this case.
Osborne requested June 24 that the trial be continued for another six months, citing the "voluminous" evidence to be reviewed, according to court records. Holmes signed an order afterward resetting the trial from Sept. 12 to Feb. 13 in Fort Smith.