Wife of Yell County sheriff facing charges of felony theft after $39,000-plus found missing from department accounts

YELL COUNTY, Ark. – An investigation has led to the wife of the Yell County sheriff facing charges of felony theft after funds were found missing from department accounts.

According to court records, 49-year-old Chasity Ann Gault was arrested after $39,982 was found missing after an investigation and state audit & is facing charges of felony property theft. Gault is the wife of Yell County Sheriff Nick Gault.

The investigator’s report said the loss was primarily from three department accounts: Virtual Justice, Restitution and Paper Service. After a review by Arkansas Legislative Audit, the auditor found that Gault handled collections and deposits of funds into these accounts from Jan. 1, 2023, to March 8, 2024.

The auditor also found that Gault wrote $9,374 in checks from the Restitution to the Virtual Justice accounts, the exact amount missing from that account, “in an apparent attempt to conceal the cash that she had stole.” The audit also found that thefts from the Paper Services account stopped in February 2024, the same month the chief deputy took over responsibility for that account from Gault.

The documents state Gault admitted to the investigator that she had taken cash payments made at her office and used them for personal purchases “such as groceries and medication for her daughter,” adding that she estimated she had taken $4,000.

The investigator continued that Gault said she did not take any money from the Paper Services account, where the auditor found $26,643 missing. The investigator confirmed that Gault had control over that account from Jan. 1, 2023, to February 2024.

Officials with the Arkansas State Police said Gault was arrested Wednesday. Judge Randy Wright allowed Gault to bond on her own recognizance.

Yell County Judge Jeff Gilkey posted a statement to social media shortly after the news of Gault’s arrest.

“I am deeply troubled to learn of today’s arrest,” Gilkey wrote. “The defrauding of the people of Yell County is unacceptable and those who choose to do so have no business in government.”

Gilkey continued that the accounts were under the exclusive control of the Yell County sheriff, which is normal across the state. He said county officials do not review the accounts, which the state officials audit yearly.

The judge said the legal system must be allowed to do its job, and whatever outcome will be accepted.

This is a developing story, please check back for updates.

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