Arkansas senators co-sponsors on bill that would repeal federal death tax

WASHINGTON D.C. — Senators Tom Cotton (RArkansas) and John Boozman (R-Arkansas) joined U.S.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-South Dakota) and 45 other Senate Republicans last week to reintroduce legislation that would repeal the federal death tax.

Called the Death Tax Repeal Act, Cotton said the bill would end a “punitive” tax that can hit family-run farms, ranches, and businesses as the result of the owner’s death.

“Families shouldn’t have to sell major portions of their businesses or farms after the death of a parent just to afford the estate tax. Breaking apart a family’s livelihood is neither fair nor good for the economy,” Cotton said. “This legislation would end the federal death tax, making it much easier to preserve a family’s legacy and way of life.”

Arkansas senators Boozman, Cotton join in introducing gun suppressor legislation “Arkansas’s farm families and small businesses should have the opportunity to preserve their legacies for the next generation instead of getting hit with a penalty that jeopardizes their livelihoods,” Boozman said. “They need certainty and relief from this counterproductive burden. Repealing the death tax supports our agriculture producers and entrepreneurs so they can continue to grow their operations and benefit their local economy.”

Cotton said the bill would fully repeal the Estate Tax, repeal the Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax (GSTT) for when a grandparent transfers assets to a grandchild and maintain step-up basis.

***

Massage parlor raids result in more arrests

ROGERS — A third arrest was made Feb. 11 in connection to the human trafficking raids on massage parlors in Rogers on Feb. 13.

According to a press release, David Whited was arrested on a warrant for trafficking of persons and engaging in a continuing criminal gang, organization or enterprise.

In fall 2024, the Rogers Police Department along with the Arkansas Attorney General’s Office, Benton County Prosecutor’s Office and the Benton County Sheriff’s Office began a human trafficking investigation into three Asian massage parlors.

The investigation ended on Jan. 23 with the execution of simultaneous search warrants for Ping Massage, Stream Massage and Tulip Massage.

The release says the three massage parlors were owned

See STATE, page A3

BOOZMAN

COTTON STATE

From page A2

and operated by the same three people. All three of those owners have now been arrested: Yuhe Yang, Chunli Wang, and Whited.

Whited is being held in the Benton County jail. No bond has yet been set.

Whited’s arrest was part of a state-wide operation led by Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin’s office.

Griffin said the raids targeted massage parlors around the state as Operation Obscured Vision. He said 17 victims were identified with aid given to 16 of them after 12 search warrants were executed.

Other raids were conducted in Jonesboro, Russellville, Hot Springs, Harrison, and Little Rock.

***

Arts Academy teacher arrested again, facing 25 additional counts of child grooming charges

ROGERS — A former teacher at a school in Rogers who was arrested in January has been arrested again for child sex crime-related charges.

Robert Beard, 38, was arrested by the Benton County Sheriff’s Office on Feb. 11 for 25 counts of sexual grooming of a child. He was released on the same day on a $50,000 bond.

A release from the Rogers Police Department said detectives interviewed multiple students who were taught by Beard during a two-year period.

During the investigation, 25 victims were identified to have been sexually groomed by Beard during his time as a teacher at the Arkansas Arts Academy, the department said.

A probable cause affidavit filed on Feb. 12 said after the first arrest, students came forward and claimed that Beard sent pornography to them.

The pornography was sent to students in the form of an Adobe Flash player link and was reportedly sent to multiple classes starting in September 2022.

The school reportedly sent a detective with RPD a list of more than 60 students who potentially received pornographic materials from Beard, according to the affidavit.

Beard is set to appear in court for the Benton County case on March 24 for his arraignment.

Beard’s first arrest was on Jan. 24 by the Springdale Police Department after he allegedly sexually assaulted a child he picked up from a school dance at the Arkansas Arts Academy on Jan. 17.

Beard was booked for firstdegree sexual assault, internet stalking of a child, and traveling with the purpose of an unlawful sex act with a minor for that case. He was later released on a $150,000 bond.

Former Arkansas Arts Academy teacher arrested in connection with internet stalking, sexual assault of a minor Allison Roberts, CEO of Arkansas Arts Academy, previously said that Beard was employed with the school from August 2022 to June 2024, and was terminated in July 2024.

School staff noticed the incident and followed Beard’s vehicle while notifying police, according to a news release from SPD.

Officers stopped Beard’s car and took the juvenile to the Children’s Safety Center for an interview.

Investigators found through the juvenile’s phone that Beard, a former teacher at their school, had been talking to the minor online before taking them to his home.

Beard is set to appear in court for his Washington County case on Feb. 19.

BEARD