The Baxter County Sheriff’s Office announced on May 11 that it has surpassed $4 million in restitution payments made to victims of crimes since 2005. This milestone reflects the department’s ongoing efforts, under Sheriff John Montgomery, to collect court-ordered fines and restitution with the cooperation of parole and probation officers, prosecutors, and judges.
The issue is significant because financial restitution can help alleviate some of the harm suffered by crime victims. Sheriff Montgomery said, “If a person was a victim of a crime, and we are able to investigate, arrest, convict and have a Judge order restitution be paid, the very least we as law enforcement should do is use every means available to us to collect the restitution and pay it back to the victim. Money will not replace the emotional trauma of the crime victim, but it can help. Otherwise, they become a victim a second time.”
Some criminal cases date back as far as the late 1980s. The sheriff’s office reports that when victims or their families cannot be located—such as when they are deceased—the money must be sent with details to the Auditor of the State of Arkansas as required by law. Since 2016, only $5,628 from 19 such cases has been forwarded this way.
The Baxter County Sheriff’s Office secures funding through community donations via its foundation; contributes to local safety efforts; operates a detention center with separate housing for inmates; received recognition for public information initiatives; partners with organizations like the 14th Judicial District Drug Task Force on narcotics issues; and employs five administration personnel cross-trained for efficiency—all according to the official website.
Montgomery said that every effort continues to be made by his staff to locate all eligible victims or their families so funds can reach those directly affected.
