Former Crawford County deputies face prison time in viral arrest video case

CRAWFORD COUNTY, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Two former Crawford County deputies who pleaded guilty to charges related to a viral video of them beating a man during an arrest are facing prison terms after sentencing recommendations were filed on Monday.

Levi White, 34, pleaded guilty to one felony count of deprivation of rights under color of law in April. He is facing more than eight years in prison followed by three years of supervised release, according to his sentencing recommendation.

Zackary King, 28, pleaded guilty to one count of misdemeanor deprivation of rights under color of law in April. King is facing one year under his recommendation.

The two are set to be sentenced on October 10.

The charges stem from the August 2022 arrest of Randal Worcester at a convenience store in Mulberry.

A viral video filmed by a bystander shows White and King, along with Mulberry police officer Thell Riddle, kicking and hitting Worcester while handcuffing him.

The deputies were fired in September 2022 and arrested and charged in January 2023. Riddle was placed on leave after the video went viral but was later reinstated.

Worcester, who is facing multiple charges including first-degree terroristic threatening, second-degree battery and resisting arrest, has a trial date set for February 3, 2025, and a status hearing scheduled for December 18. His case has been continued pending a fitness evaluation.

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