WASHINGTON COUNTY, ARKANSAS, Ark. — Washington County Judge Patrick Deakins and his staff gave a presentation Thursday night on the investigation into a "toxic" and "corrupt" environment at the sheriff's office, later prompting a response from the sheriff himself.

5NEWS first reported on an investigation into the Washington County Sheriff's Office (WCSO) in November 2024 after obtaining an email from Deakins warning the quorum court about allegations of misuse of county property and funds.

On July 17, 2025, Deakins shared with justices of the peace and the public that multiple investigations had spawned from the allegations and "failures at leadership and policy levels" were found within the sheriff's office.

Deakins said the sheriff's office had conducted an internal investigation

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