A former deputy with the Stone County Sheriff’s Department could face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison stemming from charges related to an internal investigation by the department.
Zachary Hunter Alexander, 36, of Fifty-Six, Ark., was indicted last year after the investigation revealed that he had allegedly misappropriated funds after soliciting money for the Stone County Sheriff’s Foundation to purchase firearms for the department.
Authorities say Alexander admitted to purchasing two rifles with funds that were reimbursed from the foundation, but he sold one of the rifles six months later. Court documents also say the former deputy also admitted he kept over $3,800 from the Stone County Treasurer’s Office that was to be utilized to purchase department equipment.
Alexander faced five counts of bank fraud, five counts of extortion under color of official right, and one count of selling a stolen firearm.
On Monday, Alexander pleaded guilty to one count of selling a stolen firearm and one of the extortion counts. Federal attorneys noted that a motion to dismiss the remaining counts will not be made until Alexander’s sentencing hearing in a few months.
Alexander’s maximum sentence for the firearm count is ten years, while the maximum sentence for the extortion count is 20 years. Alexander also faces a maximum fine of $250,000 and three years of supervised release on each count.
