Sheriff’s use-of-force trial reset again

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

Anthony Boen’s trial has been reset for Oct. 19 in Fort Smith before U.S. District Judge P.K. Holmes III, according to court documents. It was previously scheduled for today.

“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, 50, who has served as Franklin County sheriff since 2011, pleaded innocent at his Dec. 17 arraignment on 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 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.