Jonathan D. Ross U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas
Zachary Hunter Alexander, the former Chief Deputy for the Stone County Sheriff’s Office, has been sentenced to 33 months in federal prison for selling a stolen firearm and committing extortion under color of official right. The sentence was announced by Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, and delivered by United States District Judge Lee P. Rudofsky.
Alexander, 40, of Lakeview, was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 3, 2022. The indictment included charges of bank fraud, selling a stolen firearm, and multiple counts of extortion under color of official right. On August 14, 2023, Alexander pleaded guilty to selling a stolen firearm and extortion under color of official right.
The investigation determined that on May 31, 2019, Alexander purchased two Remington 700 sniper rifles. A few days later, he received funds from the Stone County Sheriff’s Foundation intended for the purchase of these rifles for the sheriff’s office. In December 2019, Alexander sold one of these rifles—property belonging to the sheriff’s office—for his own benefit.
On or about February 19, 2020, Alexander used his position as Chief Deputy to obtain $3,809.10 from the Stone County Treasurer under false pretenses. He claimed it was reimbursement for equipment bought at a pawn shop for the sheriff’s office but instead kept the cash after involving the pawn shop owner in cashing the check. The indictment described similar incidents where no items were actually purchased from pawn shops.
Judge Rudofsky also ordered Alexander to serve two years’ supervised release following his prison term and pay restitution totaling $153,786.84. This amount reflects improperly cashed pawn shop checks given to Alexander, fraudulent credit card purchases made with sheriff’s office funds for personal use, and check kiting activities at various banks. Federal sentences do not allow parole.
The case was investigated by Arkansas State Police with help from several local agencies including the Stone County Sheriff’s Office and Foundation as well as federal authorities such as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
