Arkansas State Police Release Investigation into Washington County Sheriff’s Office

INVESTIGATIVE SUMMARY

The internal investigation report from the Washington County Sheriff's Office (WCSO), dated November 12, 2024, and the Arkansas State Police (ASP) Case Master Report ASP-2024-1560, initiated on December 11, 2024, examine allegations of misuse and theft of county property and funds, with a particular focus on the potential theft of electrical wiring by Kory Weathers, a maintenance worker employed by WCSO since May 3, 2004. Initiated by Washington County Judge Patrick Deakins on September 23, 2024, and at the request of the 4th Judicial Prosecutor on November 25, 2024, these investigations were led by Chief of Staff Michael Stewart and ASP Special Agent Jaran McCormick.

While broader misconduct involving the misuse of county equipment (e.g., skid steer, welder) for personal gain and the unauthorized sale of scrap metal (e.g., air conditioners, brass) with proceeds retained for personal use was substantiated, the specific claim of wiring theft-raised by a 309 inmate working alongside Weathers —was found to be unfounded due to distinct differences in wiring types. All information obtained during the WCSO internal investigation was gathered after the reading of Garrity warnings.

Reports of missing county property, unauthorized equipment use, scrap metal sales, and P-card misuse implicated Weathers, who was suspected of taking wiring for personal use at his residence ([INFORMATION REDACTED]). Lt. Rebecca Dawdy photographed a Bobcat at Weathers' home and noted a restricted maintenance shop, while Corporal Brian Roy relayed statements from 309 inmates who reported missing electrical wire linked to him. The Washington County Judge's Office report (November 7, 2024) further alleged that Weathers used county materials, including wire, for home construction. However, photos from the WCSO maintenance shed on March 6, 2025, showed only commercial-grade wiring consistent with the Sheriff's Office's needs, while Weathers' home contained exclusively residential wiring, which was unsuitable for WCSO infrastructure. Weathers provided receipts for wiring purchased during his home construction and denied stealing county materials, asserting that all items at his residence were personally acquired. The Sheriffs internal investigation (OPC 24-2-1), led by Major Tion Augustine, deemed the wire theft claim unsubstantiated. While Weathers admitted to using equipment like a skid steer and scissor lift for personal tasks such as tree trimming, no evidence supported the claim that county wiring had been transferred to his property.

Weathers, Sam Caudle, and Sgt. David Lindabury sold scrap metal (e.g., air conditioners, brass) without authorization, retaining the proceeds for off-the-books personal benefits like lunches and cookouts. During the internal investigation, when this practice was uncovered, the money on hand was returned. Weathers explained that retaining proceeds had been a long-standing departmental norm. A lockbox held approximately $800, and $2,510.32 was later discovered in Lindabury's vehicle, with no deposits recorded with the County Treasurer for five years. Additionally, P-card purchases for items like hard hats and boots exceeded policy limits.

Following the internal investigation, which identified multiple policy violations, the Washington County Sheriff's Office implemented significant policy changes to address these misuses. However, no permanent notations regarding these incidents were made in the Sheriffs Office personnel files. The Sheriff's internal investigation initially minimized the misconduct, whereas the judge's office and legal analysis found credible evidence of violations and recommended structural changes to prevent recurrence.