News/Events

LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge announced today that a Bradley County man has been sentenced to five years in the Arkansas Department of Correction, with three years suspended, on one count of adult abuse and one count of criminal use of property. Rutledge released the following statement:

"As your Attorney General, I will not stand for individuals who abuse or neglect those living in any of Arkansas’s residential human development centers. Today’s conviction demonstrates that we will punish these individuals to the fullest extent of the law. Residents of these facilities should be provided with the highest quality care."

Tristan S. Gill, 23, of Warren pleaded guilty and was sentenced today by Circuit Judge Don Glover. The Attorney General’s Office prosecuted the case in cooperation with 10th Judicial District Prosecutor Thomas Deen.

On Feb. 16, 2014, Gill was employed as a residential care technician at Southeast Arkansas Human Development Center. Gill used a spray bottle belonging to the facility to spray bleach in a developmentally disabled client's face. The victim suffered chemical burns on his face and blistering for several days, but no permanent injury. The conviction for adult abuse is a Class-D felony, and the conviction for criminal use of property is a Class-B felony.

LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge released the following statement today in response to the passing of Cleburne County Sheriff Richard Swain:
"For the second time in less than a week, Arkansas has lost another dedicated member of our local law enforcement leadership. I am saddened by the loss of Cleburne County Sheriff Richard Swain, who passed away early Sunday morning after a much-too brief tenure as sheriff. Sheriff Swain was elected this past November, and I know he was dedicated to serving the wonderful people of Cleburne County. My thoughts and prayers are with Sheriff Swain's wife, Pat, and their children, his colleagues and all those who call Cleburne County home."

Sheriff Swain was elected as the Cleburne County Sheriff in November 2014 and took office on Jan. 1 of this year. Sheriff Swain retired as an inspector with the Shelby County, Tenn., Sheriff’s Office in 2002. Prior to his election as sheriff, he served as jail administrator with the Cleburne County Sheriff’s Office and held the rank of captain.

LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge announced today that she has submitted a motion to the Arkansas Supreme Court requesting a second oral argument in the appeal of the challenge against Amendment 83 to the Arkansas Constitution. Attorney General Rutledge released the following statement:

“Two Associate Justices were not seated on the Arkansas Supreme Court when the first oral argument was held in November 2014, and Chief Justice Hannah was absent due to a national meeting of chief justices. I believe the Court would benefit greatly from a second oral argument. The people of Arkansas should know that as Attorney General, I will vigorously defend any challenge against Arkansas’s Constitution.”

Because the U.S. Supreme Court has announced that it will review the marriage cases arising out of Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee, the Arkansas Supreme Court may decline to announce a decision until after the U.S. Supreme Court rules. However, neither side has requested a stay in the case before the Arkansas Supreme Court. The Court has the authority to rule on the issues before it, including state constitutional issues that will not be addressed by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Attorney General Rutledge’s predecessor filed a notice of appeal with the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis on Dec. 23, 2014, regarding U.S. District Judge Kristine Baker’s decision in the separate federal-court challenge against Amendment 83. The State’s opening brief to the Eighth Circuit is due Feb. 17, 2015.

LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge released the following statement today after learning that Chief James Allen of the Rogers Police Department passed away:

“I am saddened by the loss of Chief James Allen. Chief Allen was a long-time officer in northwest Arkansas and never wavered, despite a yearlong battle with cancer, from his oath to keep the citizens of Rogers safe from harm. My thoughts and prayers go out to the entire law enforcement communities of Bentonville, Rogers and the greater northwest Arkansas region, as well as Chief Allen’s family and friends.”

Chief Allen led the Rogers Police Department from April of 2011 until his passing. Prior to that, he served as the Chief of Police of the Bentonville Police Department for 22 years.