High-Powered Sniper Rifle Purchased with State Funds
By: Lauren Trager, KARK 4 News
Updated: September 27, 2012
KARK 4 News has obtained documentation about an investigation into the purchase of a Barrett M107 .50-caliber BMG sniper rifle * in Faulkner County back in 2008.
According to ATF agents, former Faulkner County prosecutor Marcus Vaden cut a check of public funds in the amount of about $11,800 dollars, gave it to a then-deputy prosecutor who bought the weapon from a gun store in North Little Rock. Agents say the rifle was given to County Administrator Jeff Johnston.
Johnston allegedly admitted to agents that the rifle stayed at his house for months. He also admitted to a reported incident where he and another person were firing the weapon while intoxicated.
The money used to buy the rifle are legally intended for law enforcement purposes only, but the rifle has never been used in a law enforcement capacity.
The rifle is capable of accurately hitting a target up to a mile and a half away and can go through buildings and armored vehicles.
The current prosecutor has decided against filing charges but says the purchase was an abuse of funds and is "unforgiveable." Johnston is facing an unrelated charge of theft. Prosecutors say he stole $4,000 worth of county asphalt.
Anchor/Reporter Lauren Trager is working on this story and will bring you more on KARK 4 News at 6.
*Rifle photo is NOT of the actual item in question. It is a generic image used by courtesy from ShootingIllustrated.com.
According to ATF agents, former Faulkner County prosecutor Marcus Vaden cut a check of public funds in the amount of about $11,800 dollars, gave it to a then-deputy prosecutor who bought the weapon from a gun store in North Little Rock. Agents say the rifle was given to County Administrator Jeff Johnston.
Johnston allegedly admitted to agents that the rifle stayed at his house for months. He also admitted to a reported incident where he and another person were firing the weapon while intoxicated.
The money used to buy the rifle are legally intended for law enforcement purposes only, but the rifle has never been used in a law enforcement capacity.
The rifle is capable of accurately hitting a target up to a mile and a half away and can go through buildings and armored vehicles.
The current prosecutor has decided against filing charges but says the purchase was an abuse of funds and is "unforgiveable." Johnston is facing an unrelated charge of theft. Prosecutors say he stole $4,000 worth of county asphalt.
Anchor/Reporter Lauren Trager is working on this story and will bring you more on KARK 4 News at 6.
*Rifle photo is NOT of the actual item in question. It is a generic image used by courtesy from ShootingIllustrated.com.
Comments
My friends up there say there are LOTS of reasons Vaden is a "former" prosecutor...add one more to keep him in that status...
Peter D.
September 26, 2012 at 5:45 pm
