PARAGOULD, Ark. — A former Greene County Sheriff’s deputy was arrested by Arkansas State Police on Monday, a press release said. Below is the adapted release:
On Monday, November 4, 2024, Special Agents from the Arkansas State Police (ASP) Criminal Investigation Division (CID) arrested James Huffstetler, 56, a former deputy with the Greene County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO), for felony Theft of Property.
In August 2024, the Greene County Sheriff’s Office and the Greene County Prosecutor requested ASP to investigate suspected theft within the Greene County Sheriff’s Office. During the investigation, agents recovered GCSO property from Huffstetler.
Agents arrested Huffstetler at his home in Paragould and transported him to the Greene County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Brad Snyder said Huffstetler was transported to the Lawrence County Detention Center to be booked, as he could not be held by his own agency.
On November 4, 2024, Special Agents with the Arkansas State Police took former Greene County Deputy Sheriff James “Jimmy” Huffstetler into custody on a bench warrant for theft of property, Class C Felony. The arrest stems from an investigation requested by me on or about July 15, 2024 after it was learned that cash seized from Drug Task Force arrests was missing from a safe in Huffstetler’s office. Huffstetler had previously been assigned to narcotics cases, as well as the 2nd Judicial Drug Task Force as an agent.
Huffstetler was placed on administrative leave on July 15, 2024. On that day, I contacted 2nd Judicial District Prosecutor Sonia Hagood to request an Arkansas State Police investigation. Drug Task Force administrators were also contacted and a DTF Audit was conducted on DTF cases held by this department. It was found that only the cash seizures were missing. As the investigation progressed, it was also learned that department property had also been taken by Huffstetler. Huffstetler was terminated on August 12, 2024. After his termination, and after he had turned in his department issued equipment, a search warrant was conducted by Arkansas State Police Special Agents at Huffstetler’s home where more department issued equipment was located. This equipment appears to have been issued during previous administrations. Huffstetler was hired by the Greene County Sheriff’s Office in November of 2017.
Integrity, honor, and community are the words emblazoned on the shoulder patches worn by the men and women of this department. These are traits and missions that I will NOT tolerate being violated within my department. In my opinion, law enforcement officers must be the best of the best. They must be above reproach, and they must always conduct themselves admirably and honestly. When instances such as this arise, not only does it shed a negative light on the department, but it does so for the law enforcement profession as a whole as well. It is important that those serving in a law enforcement capacity that choose to commit crimes are held to the same standards as those of the general public that choose to do the same. To say that I am disappointed regarding this case would be an understatement.
As this case is being handled and investigated by the Arkansas State Police, no further information will be released by my office regarding this matter. Further questions or information will need to be directed to the Arkansas State Police Public Information Office.
– Sheriff Brad Snyder, Greene County Sheriff
All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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I think “Innocent until Proven Guilty” is a standard they need to go back to. It seems to be just the opposite with Greene County. On more than one occasion, I’ve seen first hand, innocent people behind bars with an ongoing investigation. If the investigators are properly investigating, the actual guilty party would be behind bars. However, the innocent are apparently Guilty until Proven Innocent and left to sit there until being basically forced to plead guilty to something they didn’t do. Come on Greene County, aren’t you “better than that?”