Former Stone County deputy facing charges of bank fraud

Stone County, Arkansas – According to U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas Jonathan D. Ross, a 36-year-old Zachary Hunter Alexander appeared in court Thursday.

The indictment alleges that Alexander solicited money in 2018 from the Stone County Sheriff’s Foundation to purchase AR-15-style firearms for the sheriff’s office, Ross said.

The indictment said that Alexander deposited $4,000 from the foundation into his personal account, according to officials. He is accused of fraudulently providing and signing an invoice listing six firearms and their serial numbers, State officials said.

According to Ross, the invoice was used to authorize a $3,090 transaction on the sheriff’s office credit card.

Alexander is facing the firearm charge for selling a sniper rifle that belonged to the sheriff’s office, State officials said. They also noted that the rifle was purchased with the foundation’s money.

According to Ross, Alexander is also facing five charges of extortion. The indictment alleges he made various deposits totaling more than $105,000, officials said.

Alexander could face up to 60 years in prison and up to $1.5 million in fines, according to state officials.