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Agent: US Prosecutor to Get Evidence About Searcy’s Ex-Police Chief

2 min read

SEARCY – A federal agent says an arson investigation into Searcy’s former police chief has led to evidence over possible firearms violations, abuse of power and controlled-substance infractions.

Grover Crossland, a head agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in Little Rock, says all of the evidence will be submitted to the U.S. attorney’s office.

“It will be up to them on prosecuting,” he said. “If and when they file charges, we’ll contact (Clark) and he’ll go before a U.S. magistrate judge.”

Jeremy Clark resigned as police chief after authorities searched his home Tuesday. Crossland said the 35-year-old was very professional and cooperative during the search.

“We asked him if he wanted to come to the residence with us to gain easier access. He agreed,” Crossland said. “There wasn’t a dynamic entry. The search was very professional and low-key.”

The investigation began in March 2014 when ATF’s Little Rock office was looking into a case of possible arson. The case stemmed from a Bradford home that Clark owned but referred to as his grandmother’s place.

Crossland said he could not comment on specifics of the case, but he did say that the search had nothing to do with the arson case and that Clark is the only city employee being investigated.

In a handwritten letter to the mayor, Clark said on Tuesday he was “reluctantly” resigning because of the possible embarrassment to the Searcy Police Department. Clark also apologized in the letter to everyone who has been “affected by this fruitless investigation into my life.”

(Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, rewritten, broadcast or distributed.)

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