Boeckmann resigns from bench

Boeckmann resigns from bench

ralphhardin@gmail.com After nearly a year of investigation, Judge Joseph Boeckmann has resigned as a District Judge in Cross County, and under an agreement with the Arkansas Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission, has pledged that he will never serve in public office again.

Boeckmann, who made the announcement on Monday, has been under investigation for months for a number of improprieties, including allegedly offering favorable sentencing for young male defendants in court in return for sexual favors or sexually illicit activities, specifically having the men pose for suggestive photographs, sometimes nude and occasionally after receiving a paddling.

Investigators allege Boeckman, who occasionally sat in for Judge Fred Thorne in Crittenden County, wrote checks to the defendants’ lawyers and had thousands of images on his computer of these young men. He has also been accused of a variety of other actions in abuse of his position as a judge.

The Arkansas State Police, the Attorney General Leslie Rutledge’s office and other state and local investigative agencies have spent the past several months looking into the allegations. While prosecutors have declined to comment on an open investigation, David Sachar, executive director of the Arkansas Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission, called it “the worst case of judicial misconduct” the commission had seen, citing the serial abuse of his position over decades, beginning when he was a prosecutor.

Special Prosecutor Jack McQuary has indicated that the investigation will continue with an eye on potential criminal charges.

Boeckmann's resignation came as the Judicial Commission was moving toward a public hearing on violations of ethics rules.

By Ralph Hardin