According to a release from the Arkansas State Police, Mark Holland, 54, of Heber Springs, a 19-year veteran Arkansas State Trooper, resigned today. He had been assigned to the Highway Patrol Division, Troop B, headquartered at Newport. Col. Bill Bryant, Director of the Arkansas State Police, has accepted the resignation.
Immediately after submitting the letter of resignation to his troop commander at a residence in Cleburne County, Holland was arrested by Special Agents of the Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation and transported to the Independence County Jail, the release said.
Bond has been set at $5,000.
Holland faces criminal charges that include 18 counts of violating laws limiting access and use of information or records retained by the Arkansas Crime Information Center (ACIC), according to the release. The laws prohibit access and use of the records for non-law enforcement purposes. Using information gained from the records in the furtherance of committing other crimes is a Class D felony.
Additionally, Holland is charged with terroristic threatening and stalking, also Class D felonies.
The state police investigation alleges that Holland unlawfully accessed the ACIC database and used information from the database to contact an Independence County woman who he stalked and made statements that formed the basis of terroristic threatening, the release said.
The Arkansas State Police said in the release they first became aware of the allegations involving Holland last Friday, Dec. 13. At that time the Criminal Investigation Division initiated a criminal investigation. Holland was simultaneously placed on paid administrative leave.
“As law enforcement officers we are expected by the public, and even among ourselves as protectors of the public, to live by standards both privately and professionally that exceed the principles of all others,” said Col. Bryant following the arrest this afternoon. “I am both saddened and disappointed that someone who was among the ranks of the Arkansas State Police now stands accused of these crimes, but it is heartening to know we acted promptly to find the facts and present the evidence to the prosecuting attorney and court to hold this person accountable.”
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