Former Arkansas judge David Carruth convicted on federal charge of making false statements to FBI

WASHINGTON – A former Monroe County judge was convicted Friday of making false statements to FBI investigators.

A Department of Justice release said court documents and trial evidence led to 64-year-old Thomas David Carruth being convicted by a jury of making a false statement to the FBI. Investigators said Carruth told them in 2022 that he had not asked for or insinuated soliciting sex from the girlfriend of a defendant in his court.

The jury also acquitted Carruth of bribery, honest services fraud, and violations of the travel act.

Federal agents raided Carruth’s home in June 2022. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Arkansas confirmed the raid was part of an ongoing Department of Justice investigation.

In November 2023, a Claredon woman claimed that Carruth had solicited her for sex in exchange for help in a criminal case. Carruth denied the charges, with his lawyer stating he expected to be exonerated at trial.

Officials said a sentencing hearing will be held at a later date, adding that the maximum penalty for false statements is five years in prison.

Carruth served as  Clarendon city attorney and a Monroe County District Court judge prior to resigning from the bench,

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