An Arkansas Judge who was being investigated for sexual misconduct has officially resigned his post after new evidence emerged suggesting that he had used his power to sexually abuse young, poor, male defendants dating back to his time as a prosecutor 30 years ago. The allegations against now former Judge Joe Boeckmann include claims that he gave preferential treatment to white men allowing them reduced sentences, not recorded on court dockets, including picking up trash at his home. Boeckmann is accused of taking inappropriate photographs of the defendants as they served their reduced sentences ranging from spanking to masturbating on camera in exchange for him paying their attorney fees or waiving their fines. Many of the former judge’s victims were young men who were financially burdened or in danger of losing their children.
One young man alleges that when he was a teenager and the former judge was a prosecutor, Boeckmann photographed him as he was picking up trash. He added that he later had a child custody case before the then judge during which Boeckmann drove him to the Cross County Courthouse, took him into a courtroom and told him to take off his clothes. Upon disrobing, Boeckmann handcuffed him and took pictures of him naked in various position.
In addition, documents turned over to the Associated Press show thousands of pictures on Boeckmann’s personal computer of naked and half-naked men, many of whom were former defendants in cases that had gone before him. Based on the photos, Boeckmann will be receiving a subpoena to turn over a paddle that was allegedly used to spank several of the young men seen in the photographs according to David Sachar, the executive director of the state’s Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission.
Upon further investigation, the commission also found that Boeckmann showed favoritism to his family members and those employed by them, to a man with whom he was allegedly having a sexual relationship and his family members as well. The investigation was initially launched in response to an allegation that Boeckmann had reduced the bond against a woman who was related to the man with whom he was reportedly having a sexual relationship.
“He’s a criminal predator who used his judicial power to feed his corrupt desires. Every minute he served as a judge was an insult to the Arkansas Judiciary,” said Sachar, who submitted his investigation report to the commission to see if Boeckmann should have been kicked off the bench or sanctioned. The report has also been turned over to the Arkansas State Police, a special prosecutor and federal authorities.
Boeckmann denies all of the allegations against him although he has agreed, as part of his resignation, to never seek work in public service in Arkansas again. His resignation reads, in part, “I further promise to never seek employment as a local, county, or state employee or public servant in the State of Arkansas.” The former judge has yet to be charged wth a crime.
Featured image via Wikimedia Commons