Arkansas State Police Arrest A County Judge in Expanding Corruption Investigation

A Boone County judge in Arkansas is facing charges following an investigation into missing public funds.

On Friday, February 27, Special Agents with the Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division arrested 68-year-old Robert Daniel Hathaway, the Boone County Judge. Hathaway is charged with one felony count of Abuse of Office and one misdemeanor count of Failure to Report Loss of Public Funds by a Public Employee.

Investigation Began After Allegations of Stolen County Funds in Arkansas

According to a press release, the investigation began back on August 29, 2025, when Fourteenth Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney David Ethredge asked the Arkansas State Police to look into allegations that funds had been stolen from Boone County government accounts.

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In September 2025, the Arkansas Legislative Audit conducted a financial review of county accounts at the request of investigators.

The audit found that a Boone County employee had stolen money from multiple county accounts and related entities. During the investigation, agents also determined that Hathaway was aware of the misuse of a county government credit card that exceeded $1,000 within a calendar year. Arkansas State law requires public employees to report that type of loss to the Arkansas Legislative Audit, but investigators say it wasn't reported.

READ MORE: Jamie Ann Moore Identified in 1994 Arkansas Cold Case

Arrest Made Following Investigation

After completing the investigation, Special Agents obtained arrest warrants for Hathaway. He was taken into custody and booked into the Marion County Detention Center.

Case Connected to Larger Boone County Investigation

Hathaway’s arrest comes after other recent arrests tied to the same public corruption investigation.

On February 18, April Dawn Benefiel, 44, was arrested on charges of Tampering with Physical Evidence, a Class D felony, and Hindering Prosecution, a Class C felony. She previously served as program director for Grandma’s House Children’s Advocacy Center in Harrison.

The case is also connected to Daniel Bolen, 46, the former director of the Boone County Office of Emergency Management. Bolen was arrested by the Arkansas State Police on February 13 and faces several charges, including Abuse of Office, Theft of $25,000 or More, Tampering with Physical Evidence, and Fraudulent Use of a Credit Card.

Authorities say the investigation into the Boone County public corruption case is ongoing.