CONWAY — Jack Gillean — the former University of Central Arkansas chief of staff who is charged with four felonies including commercial burglary — did not surrender to authorities Tuesday as he had said.
Gillean’s attorney said she conferred Tuesday afternoon with Gillean and they have “made the arrangements” for his surrender.
“We’re turning him in the first thing in the morning,” said Nicki Nicolo.
Gillean was charged Friday. At one point, he told the prosecuting attorney’s office in Conway that he would surrender Monday. Gillean called the office back later, though, to say he would instead surrender Tuesday.
Asked why Gillean had not already surrendered, Nicolo said, “I’m obviously going to take a great interest in his case.” She said the two had just met and that she expects him to post bond.
Gillean did not reply to an e-mail request seeking comment.
Prosecuting Attorney Cody Hiland said police have been looking for Gillean, who moved from Conway to Hot Springs after resigning from his UCA job June 15.
Gillean can surrender and post 10 percent of the required $17,500 bail, or police will arrest him when they find him, Hiland said.
Asked if Gillean’s bail might be increased if he doesn’t surrender today, Hiland said, “That’s certainly within the realm of possibility.”
Gillean — a former deputy attorney general who handled criminal cases — is charged with three felony counts of commercial burglary, one felony count of fraudulent insurance acts and one misdemeanor count of issuing a false statement.
Authorities say Gillean gave a student UCA-issued keys to enter professors’ offices and steal tests. Gillean resigned when he was asked about the keys after a student suspected in a June 9 drug theft at UCA was caught with two of Gillean’s keys.
That suspect, Cameron Stark, worked in the president’s office in the spring of 2011 and has been cooperating with authorities.
Stark, 24, is a former Marine who told police that Gillean, 55, knowingly and repeatedly helped him cheat on exams and that Gillean accompanied him on one burglary. Hiland has granted Stark limited immunity from prosecution.
An affidavit accompanying the charges against Gillean says the test burglaries took place between Feb. 13, 2011, and April 23, 2011.
The affidavit says authorities have information from other witnesses who corroborate Stark’s statements.
Nicolo said Gillean’s defense will be that he is innocent.
“The way I see it, they’ve got one witness, Stark,” Nicolo said. “It appears from what I’ve seen that’s their star witness, and he has little credibility at all.”
Told of Nicolo’s comments, Hiland said, “It would be inappropriate for us to comment on the evidence that will be presented.
“As with any criminal defense, the defense counsel will have ample opportunity to receive and review the discovery in this case and at that point make an informed decision as to the relative strength or weakness of his or her client’s case,” Hiland added.
UCA officials have said Stark, who made the dean’s list for the spring 2012 semester, is no longer a student there.
Of the test burglaries, Stark told authorities that “he had done this approximately 15-20 times” and that he also had used Gillean’s key card, according to the affidavit.
Gillean joined UCA in July 1996 and held various administrative positions.
He did not report his grand-master key missing until late last fall, UCA President Tom Courtway has said. Gillean said the key was “lost,” according to a statement Courtway issue in June after Gillean resigned.
Commercial burglary is punishable by three to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. The fraud charge — which stems from a wreck authorities say Stark had on Gillean’s motorcycle — is punishable by up to six years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. The misdemeanor charge is punishable by up to 30 days in jail and a fine of up to $500.
Gillean has not been charged with any drug-related crimes.
Hiland has said the investigation is ongoing and that addition charges could be forthcoming. He declined to say if drugs are part of that probe.
Front Section, Pages 1 on 10/10/2012