FORT SMITH — A man accused of killing former Waldron Mayor Troy Anderson has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and will serve a 30-year prison term.
Mario Maurice Dawson, 21, entered the plea on Wednesday in Sebastian County.
Anderson, 74, vanished in June, and Dawson and his wife, 20-year-old Jasmine Dawson, were arrested in early July for purportedly using Anderson’s debit card. Police say Mario Dawson confessed to the killing and led investigators to Anderson’s remains.
Mario Dawson told police Anderson pulled a knife when Dawson confronted him for paying Jasmine Dawson for sex. Dawson said he punched Anderson several times, and Dawson stopped breathing.
Jasmine Dawson still faces fraud and hindering apprehension charges.