Theft of game hens could cost Ark. sheriff his job


October 31, 2011 at 10:00p.m.

Theft of game hens could cost Ark. sheriff his job

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — An Arkansas prosecutor says a sheriff isn’t qualified to do his job because he pleaded guilty to stealing Cornish game hens more than three decades ago.

Prosecuting Attorney Cody Hiland filed a petition Monday asking for Searcy County Sheriff Kenney Cassell’s removal from office. Hiland says the theft of Cornish game hens is “an infamous crime” that bars Cassell from holding office.

Cassell pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor crime in 1979. He was sentenced to 30 days in jail and ordered to pay a $300 fine.

Cassell says his guilty plea shouldn’t bar him from office because voters knew about it when they elected him last November. He admitted to the theft in a paid political ad in a local publication.