Sebastian County judge candidate Denny Altes charged with felony

A candidate for Sebastian County judge has been charged with a felony of abuse of public trust.

Denny Altes, 73, is being investigated by Emily White, who has been appointed to serve as the special prosecuting attorney.

The court has put a block on the case to prohibit the public from seeking information about the case.

Altes said he was unable to respond to comments because he is under a gag order concerning the case and could not legally respond.

Prosecuting Attorney Daniel Shue is recused from the investigation because he is personally acquainted with Altes.

William Wright is serving as the special judge in the case.

Altes served in both the Arkansas Senate and the Arkansas House of Representatives from 1999 to 2015. He was also a justice of the peace on the Sebastian County Quorum Court, according to the legislature's website.

Steve Hotz, the Sebastian County treasurer and collector; Sebastian County Administrator Jeff Turner; and Altes, a former Arkansas legislator, are all vying for the position. All three men are running as Republicans.

Alex Gladden is a University of Arkansas graduate. She previously reported for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and The Jonesboro Sun before joining the Times Record. She can be contacted at agladden@swtimes.com.

This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Sebastian County judge candidate Denny Altes subject to investigation