Trial reset for Dierks City Clerk

By Patrick Massey

DIERKS - A former city clerk for the city of Dierks charged with embezzling half a million dollars will see her case continued to this summer.

Cheryl Delarosa, 59, of Dierks requested and was granted a continuance in the Howard County Circuit Court on Wednesday, Feb 15. Her new trial date has been set for June 20.

Delarosa faces six felony charges for theft of property greater than $25,000 and six felony charges for abuse of public trust.

According to court records, Delarosa is accused of committing the act of theft of property from the City of Dierks between the dates of

Jan. 1, 2015, to Sept. 30, 2020.

Special Agent Joe Pickett with the Arkansas State Police Special Investigations Unit led the investigation of this case and found a total of $501,193 unaccounted for under Delarosa’s time as clerk for the Dierks City Water Department. Authorities also found bank accounts under her name that had unexplained cash deposits, along with possible gambling winnings, totaling approximately $261,000.

Delarosa has been accused of taking more than $500,000 dollars in city funds. She has been charged with multiple counts of Theft of Property and Abuse of Public Trust.

Delarosa is currently free on a $500,000 bond.

Murder

continued from page 1

Submitted by Debra Buschman

On Monday, Feb. 13, 2023, Jerry Hopper pled guilty in the Polk County Circuit Court to Murder in the Second Degree for killing Erin “Pepper” Marburger.

Jerry Hopper murdered Erin Marburger on Apr. 2, 2020. He dumped her body in a wooded area west of Hatfield on Apr. 3, 2020. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office and the 18th West Drug Task Force jointly investigated Erin’s disappearance for over two years, culminating in the recovery of Erin’s partial skeleton in 2022. The Arkansas State Crime lab later confirmed that the bones recovered belonged to Erin Marburger.

Debra Buschman, prosecuting attorney said, “The sheriff and his team as well as the Drug Task Force exhibited determination and hard work over the course of this multi-years’ investigation to solve the disappearance of Erin Marburger. They worked tirelessly to find the truth and to get justice for Erin and those who loved and cared for her.

“Although no amount of time spent by the defendant in the penitentiary will ever bring back Erin’s life, or adequately repay him for taking Erin’s life from her, I was pleased with the sentence my team was able to get in this case given that Erin’s cause of death could not be determined due to the poor condition of her remains, most of the witnesses were extremely reluctant to share information with investigators, and one witness had passed away before investigation in the case was complete. These kinds of cases are extremely tough. We must take into account all of these factors when we resolve a case, in order to get the most justice we can and to hold the defendant accountable. I am very pleased with the outcome in this case given all these considerations.”

Jerry Hopper was sentenced to 20 years in the Arkansas Department of Corrections. Murder in the Second Degree is a Class A Felony, with a range of punishment between 6 and 30 years in the Arkansas Department of Corrections, and the possibility of a fine, not to exceed $15,000.

Waldron officer charged with battery

The state has resolved its criminal case against a former Waldron police office charged in connection with the use of force during an arrest last year.

Omar Gonzalez, 39, entered a negotiated guilty plea to one count of third-degree battery, a

Class A misdemeanor, in Scott County Circuit Court.

Gonzalez was fined $1,000, according to a Wednesday, Feb. 15 news release from Emily White, a special prosecuting attorney for the 15 th Judicial District.

The following information was received from Polk County law enforcement agencies. The charges against those arrested are allegations and the cases are still pending in the courts. Individuals charged and whose names appear in this column may submit documentation to us at a later date that the charges have been dismissed, or that they have been found innocent, and we will include that information in this space in a timely manner.

POLK COUNTY SHERIFF’S LOG

February 13, 2023

Richard Cheshire, 61 of Mena was arrested on a Felony Warrant for Possession of Methamphetamine or Cocaine with Purpose to Deliver, two counts of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Possession of a Firearm by Certain Persons.

Tyler Crider, 32 of Mena was arrested on a Felony Warrant for Rape and 2nd Degree Sexual Assault.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Polk 284 near Hatfield in reference to an altercation.

Deputies took a theft report from a walk-in complainant.

Deputies took a report of a missing firearm.

February 14, 2023

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Venable Lane near Mena in reference to a break-in.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Polk 117 in reference to harassment.

February 15, 2023

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Treasure Lane near Acorn in reference to a domestic disturbance.

Deputies responded to a walk-in complainant in reference to theft of property.

Kenshaska Zollar, 43 of Grannis was arrested on Felony Warrants for Bond Revocation, Harassment, and Intimidating a Witness.

Deputies took a report of a scam from a walk-in complainant.

February 16, 2023

Deputies responded to a residence on Hilton Lane near Mena in reference to mailboxes being damaged.

Deputies responded to a residence on Polk 42 near Mena in reference to stolen property.

Deputies responded to a report of damaged mailboxes on Polk 42 near Mena.

Stacey Pollard, 45 of Grannis was arrested on charges of DWI and Refusal to Submit to Chemical Test.

February 17, 2023

A traffic stop on Hwy 8 W near Mena led to the arrest of Jacob Harris, 31 of Bedford, Texas on a charge of DWI.

Cash Parker was issued a citation for Minor in Possession and Expired Tags.

Deputies responded to a report of a hit and run at a residence on Hwy 8 E near Mena.

Deputies responded to a report of a vandalized vehicle at the Foran Gap Trailhead.

February 18, 2023

A traffic stop on Hwy 8 W near Rocky led to the arrest of Aldeen Quillin, 52 of Mena on a charge of DWI.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Hatton Lane in reference to a domestic disturbance.

February 19, 2023

No reports.

Polk County Sheriff’s Office worked 1 vehicle accident this week.

Polk County Detention Center

Jail Population: 23 Incarcerated Inmates with 18 Inmates currently on the Waiting List for a State Facility.