Arkansas judge accused of sexual misconduct steps down from post

LITTLE ROCK —- An Arkansas judge has left office and agreed to never serve on the bench again after a disciplinary panel threatened to administratively charge him with trading sexual favors with female defendants in exchange for their release.

The case marks the second time in a little over a year that an Arkansas judge has faced sexual misconduct accusations.

Carroll County District Court Judge Timothy Parker denied the sexual misconduct charges when he resigned Saturday on the last day of his current term in office, the Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission said Tuesday. The panel said Parker admitted to releasing and lowering bail for defendants who were friends or former clients and, in some cases, giving rides to defendants in his own vehicle after he released them.

Parker, who was appointed to the judgeship in 2013, also faces a criminal investigation over the accusations. Jason Barrett, a special prosecutor appointed to investigate the case, said Tuesday that he was reviewing JDDC's evidence to see if charges were warranted.

Read more: http://www.texarkanagazette.com/news/arkansas/story/2017/jan/04/arkansas-judge-accused-sexual-misconduct-steps-down-post/655833/