Use-of-force trial scheduled third time against former sheriff

FORT SMITH — The jury trial for the Franklin County sheriff who has been accused of using “unreasonable force” against detainees on three occasions has once again been pushed back.

The trial for Anthony Boen, 50, has been reset for Oct. 19 at 9 a.m. in Fort Smith before U.S. District Judge P.K. Holmes III, according to court documents. It was previously scheduled for 9 a.m. on June 22.

“The court finds that the ends of justice served by taking such action outweigh the best interest of the public and the Defendant in a speedy trial, because otherwise counsel for the Defendant would be denied the reasonable time necessary for effective preparation, taking into account the exercise of due diligence,” according to an order signed by Holmes on Monday.

Boen, who has served as sheriff since 2011, pleaded not guilty at his Dec. 17 arraignment to three federal charges of deprivation of rights under color of law. He was released on an unsecured bond of $5,000 with conditions — including not entering the sheriff’s office and relinquishing all duties except signing employee checks.

A motion for continuance in Boen’s case was granted in U.S. District Court on Jan. 16, court documents state. His jury trial was originally set for Feb. 3. The office of the U.S. attorney for the Western District of Arkansas has said Boen could face a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000 should he be convicted.