State police asked to open probe

Cave Springs police chief suspended in tampering case

BENTONVILLE — The Arkansas State Police has been asked to investigate allegations of tampered public records involving the suspended Cave Springs police chief.

Benton County Prosecutor Nathan Smith made the request Wednesday in a letter to Col. Bill Bryant, director of the state police. The letter asks for an investigation into the unauthorized issuance of deputy sheriff commissions to several Cave Springs Police Department officers.

The possible crime is tampering with a public record, a felony.

Chief Joe Powell is suspended with pay, Cave Springs Mayor Travis Lee said last week. Lee did not provide any reasons for the suspension.

Smith’s letter reveals the issue deals with possibly tampered-with commissions issued by Benton County Sheriff Meyer Gilbert.

Gilbert learned Aug. 17 that several unauthorized appointment forms had been presented at the sheriff’s office to obtain deputy sheriff commission cards, according to the letter. The appointment forms authorized county commissions for Cave Springs officers Nathan Coy, Gary Crews, Jeff Ward and Scott Hammersla. The officers told sheriff’s office staff members that Powell had given them the forms, according to Smith’s letter.

Gilbert examined the appointment forms and noticed they appeared to be copies of authorized appointment forms he had issued, but with another officer’s name inserted, according to the letter. The appointment forms had been filed with the Benton County circuit clerk.

Gilbert did not issue the commissions, according to Smith’s letter.

A sheriff ’s commission gives police officers county jurisdiction when needed. There is no extra pay involved with a commission.

Smith requested State Police investigate because several witnesses, including Gilbert, are with the sheriff’s office.

Keshia Guyll, a spokesman for the sheriff ’s office, declined to comment because the information is part of a ongoing investigation.

Gilbert was appointed sheriff in April to replace Kelley Cradduck. Gilbert had to issue new commissions to deputies and other law enforcement officers after he took office to replace the ones issued by Cradduck.

Gilbert said previously that he planned to be selective on who received commissions. He asked county police chiefs to submit names for commissions. Gilbert said in June that Powell submitted three names, but Coy’s name was not one of them.

Coy had a commission under Cradduck. He is the Cave Springs officer who assisted deputies with drug investigations and was involved in an April 23 shooting during a “sting” operation in a Rogers Wal-Mart parking lot.

Powell was hired as police chief in December 2015 after the resignation of Michael Caudill.

Powell, 44, has worked for law enforcement agencies in Arkansas, Missouri and Texas. He worked for the Benton County sheriff ’s office as a deputy from 2000 to 2006.