PARAGOULD, Ark. (KAIT) – Arkansas State Police have arrested a former Greene County deputy on felony theft of property charges.

On Monday, November 4th, special agents from the ASP’s Criminal Investigations Division arrested 56-year-old James Huffstetler.

Greene County Sheriff Brad Snyder said the arrest stemmed from an investigation he requested on July 15, 2024, after money from Drug Task Force arrests was found to be missing from a safe in Huffstetler’s office. He added that Huffstetler had previously been assigned to narcotics cases and the 2nd Judicial Drug Task Force as an agent.

Sheriff Snyder said that day, Huffstetler was placed on administrative leave. He also contacted District Attorney Sonia Hagood to ask the ASP to investigate. Drug Task Force administrators were also contacted and a DTF audit was conducted.

According to a press release, in addition to the missing cash seizures, Huffstetler was also found to have taken the department’s property.

Sheriff Snyder said Huffstetler was terminated on August 12, 2024.

After Huffstetler was terminated and turned over his department-issued equipment, ASP special agents searched his home where they found more equipment that appeared to have been issued during previous administrations. Sheriff Snyder said Huffstetler was hired by the Greene County Sheriff’s Office in November 2017.

“It is important that those who serve in law enforcement who choose to commit crimes are held to the same standards as those of the general public who choose to do the same. To say I’m disappointed in this case would be an understatement,” he said.

Sheriff Snyder said the Arkansas State Police will be handling the investigation and that his office would not release additional information about the case.

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