Arkansas judge accused of trading sex favors with defendants for their release steps down

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - An Arkansas judge has left office and agreed to never serve on the bench again after a disciplinary panel said it was prepared to administratively charge him with trading sexual favors with female defendants in exchange for their release.

The Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission announced Tuesday that Carroll County District Court Judge Timothy Parker resigned when his term was already set to end Saturday. The panel said Parker admitted to releasing and lowering bail for defendants who were friends or former clients. Parker denied the sexual misconduct charges, but agreed to step down and not serve again after the panel said it was prepared to charge him on those counts.

CBS Fort Smith affiliate KFSM reports the commission listed a long litany of offenses by Parker, including trading cash and prescription pills for sexual favors or money with many of the same women, as well as other women in the community.  

The commission reportedly had evidence indicating that Parker often went to the jail or called the jail directly to prompt defendants’ releases, and also gave rides to defendants in his own vehicle after they just had their release secured by his ruling.  

Parker’s resignation comes as another ex-judge accused of trading sexual favors with defendants for lighter sentences faces federal charges.