KAIT-Jonesboro, AR-News, weather, sports, classifiedsTrial date set for former Bono Police chief

Trial date set for former Bono Police chief

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CRAIGHEAD COUNTY, AR (KAIT) – The former police chief of Bono has had his trial date set for a misdemeanor charge of obstructing government operations.

According to the Craighead County District Court Clerk's Office, a judge has set Lance Suttles' trial date for June 5 at 9a.

Bono Mayor Billy Stephens fired Police Chief Lance Suttles on Monday March 12, giving him a letter that stated he was no longer employed by the city.  Mayor Stephens says the decision was made after consulting with attorneys for the city.

Interim Police Chief Dustin Norwood has been promoted to chief of police, according to the mayor.

Suttles was served with a warrant for a misdemeanor charge of obstructing government operations.  The charge is connected to a sexual assault investigation against him. 

This isn't the first or second sexual assault investigation into the Bono Police Department, but the 3rd in the last 6 years.

The first dates back to January 2006 when Bono Police Chief Rick Duhon was accused of sexually assaulting a minor. Duhon pled guilty and was sentence to six years in prison.

Just over a year later in 2007, Former Bono Interim Police Chief Jim Matha was accused of sexually assaulting the same minor that put Duhon behind bars. Matha was sentenced to 3 years probation.

We will continue to track this story and bring you the latest details as they become available.

Copyright 2012 KAIT. All rights reserved.

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