Former Stone County chief deputy gets federal prison sentence for stolen gun, extortion

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Officials with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Arkansas said a former Stone County chief deputy received a federal prison sentence on Tuesday.

Officials said 40-year-old Zachary Hunter Alexander of Lakeview received a 33-month sentence for selling a stolen gun and extortion under color of official right.

Extortion under color of official right is when a public official, with knowledge that a payment or benefit is intended to influence their official actions, accepts or agrees to accept that payment or benefit.

A grand jury indicted Alexander in May 2022 on an 11-count indictment. Officials said count one and counts eight through 11 of the indictment charged Alexander with bank fraud, count two charged the former deputy with selling a stolen firearm, and counts three through seven charged him with extortion under color of official right.

Alexander pleaded guilty in August 2023 to selling a stolen firearm and extortion under color of official right.

Investigators said that Alexander received $1,465.90 from the Stone County Sheriff’s Foundation for two sniper rifles in May 2019. He then sold one of the rifles and kept the money.

Investigators continued that in February 2020, Alexander received $3,809.10 from the Stone County Treasurer to reimburse a pawn shop for rifles, ammunition and equipment. He then had the owner of the pawnshop cash the check and turn the money over to him.

As part of his sentence, Alexander must pay $153,786.84 in restitution and will serve two years of supervised release when his prison term is completed. The restitution includes personal items Alexander purchased with the sheriff’s office credit card and other acts of check kiting, officials said.

 There is no parole in the federal prison system.