CROSS COUNTY, ARKANSAS — Documents filed early this year detailed the allegations of several men – including one under 18 – who described appearing in Boeckmann’s court for minor violations. Young Constituents has reached out to the State of Arkansas Judicial Board of Discipline awaiting comment from officials. The judge would often give defendants his hand-written phone number and have them serve what he described as “community service” at his home. Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justices have been crucified for their part in the Kathleen Kane saga, however, what they did isn’t nearly as disturbing as what’s going on in Arkansas.
THE RUNDOWN
- Judge allegedly instructed another man to strip naked and bend over, handcuffed, while he snapped photographs, up close
- Judge Joseph Boeckmann sent a letter to the Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission, stating his immediate resignation and that he would never again seek a job as a local, county or state employee
- His resignation came after the commission said in a letter dated May 5 to his attorney that it was in the process of recovering as many as 4,500 photos
- “They all depict young many, many naked who are in various poses inside the judge’s home and outside in his yard. There are numerous photos of naked young men bending over after an apparent paddling. Please accept this as notice not to destroy [or] otherwise dispose of this paddle,” the letter states, adding that many of the men had received checks from the judge after appearing before him as defendants in the court, according to NBCNews.com
- On multiple occasions he allegedly sentenced men — who were often young and poor, to illegitimate “community service” that ultimately led them to the judge’s home or office
- During these bizarre “community service” hours, the judge had them pose for suggestive photographs as “proof” they had completed their work
- Dozens of allegations are surfacing, many of which are extremely disturbing
- The year-long investigation into a part-time Arkansas district judge allegedly details that he has been accused of using his authority for the last 30 years to sexually prey on men charged with minor crimes
EARLY CAREER AS A PROSECUTOR
- Disturbing allegations have unfolded of Boeckmann’s early-life as a deputy prosecutor in the late 1970s
- Boeckmann would allegedly ask for sexual favors in exchange for prosecutorial leniency
- Some of those who claim they turned down Boeckmann’s offers as young men still sit in prison today
WRITER’S THOUGHTS
- Will the State review those who are currently incarcerated for allegedly failing to produce sexual favors in exchange for leniency/”community service”
- Will the State continue their investigation and file charges if probable cause is warranted or dismiss the investigation due to his resignation
