Update: Sniper Rifle Bought with Public Funds in Faulkner County

Faulkner County officials are in the cross hairs of a big controversy.

A $12,000 sniper rifle that was purchased with public funds, some say, was used essentially as a toy for county leaders.

Through freedom of information requests we obtained an investigative file conducted by the federal government and reviewed by the prosecutor's office.

Both agencies ultimately decided not to prosecute, but some say what happened with the gun, isn't anything short of serious abuse of power and public funds.

"It's used primarily in Afghanistan and Iraq right now," said Faulkner County Sheriff Karl Byrd.

The giant weapon, a .50 caliber Barrett sniper rifle is capable of serious destruction.

"It's known to shoot through buildings, armored vehicles, armored plating, that's what it's designed for," said Sheriff Byrd.

The gun is so precise and so powerful, it can hit a target accurately from a mile and a half away. Just to give you an idea, that's like a shooter setting up at the state Capitol, taking aim and accurately hitting a target all the way to Verizon Arena.

"It could be devastating getting into the wrong hands," said Sheriff Byrd.

But this gun wasn't in the hands of soldiers or law enforcement.

A file KARK obtained Wednesday details the purchase of the gun.

Faulkner County Administrator Jeff Johnston admitted to federal agents that in 2008, he asked then-prosecuting attorney Marcus Vaden to purchase the .50 caliber rifle for him.

We obtained a copy of the check Vaden signed to a North Little Rock weapons store.

But that check came from a pool of money prosecutors obtain after police work drug busts and other crime scenes.

"The idea is what bad guys intend to use for bad things we will take for good things as far as law enforcement is concerned," said now-Prosecutor Cody Hiland.

The rifle didn't go to a law enforcement agent. A former county attorney picked up the gun and despite signing a federal form saying he would be the sole owner, gave it to Jeff Johnston.

Johnston told federal agents, he kept the gun at his home, even admitted to getting drunk and shooting it.

The rifle appeared in an evidence storage locker shortly before the election Vaden lost in 2010.

One person told investigators he was told to "hide the gun until after the election."

"Obviously when you take asset forfeiture money and you spend it on a sniper rifle to the tune of 12 thousand dollars and you give it to a non-law enforcement person--it's a problem," said Hiland.

While Hiland says the action may not be criminal, it's still unacceptable.

"Especially in times of tight budgets, it's something that's unforgivable," Hiland said.

Sheriff Byrd says it's a shame, he could have used that money to help keep the community safe.

Marcus Vaden, now a prosecutor in Conway County, was not in his office in Conway or Morrilton and did not return attempts to get a hold of him.

Johnston works in the county judge's office and told KARK over the phone, he had no comment.

Now, the sheriff is left with a high-powered rifle he has absolutely no use for.

"I can't think of any law enforcement agency that would have any need for this in the state," the Sheriff said.

But at least he's glad it's actually in his office.

 'It's back in the right hands so hopefully we'll go from there," the Sheriff said.

They are looking at options. They say they may try to sell the gun to the military. But they don't want it on the streets of Conway.

You may remember, just a few weeks ago, we told you Jeff Johnston has been charged for theft. Prosecutors say he took thousands of county-owned asphalt to pave his driveway, a claim Johnston denies.

Of course, we will keep following that story.

The photo is a generic image from ShootingIllustrated.com and is not the item in question.