MARSHALL — The Searcy County Quorum Court has picked an acting sheriff to oversee the county after the Arkansas Supreme Court found that Sheriff Kenny Cassell was ineligible to serve.
The court voted 8-1 Monday night to appoint Donald Ragland as acting sheriff and collector. The Harrison Daily Times reported that Ragland will serve as sheriff through Dec. 31, 2014, and will be barred from running for re-election.
Ragland is a retired Arkansas Game and Fish officer.
Last week, the Quorum Court approved a resolution declaring a vacancy in the office. The Arkansas Supreme Court ruled last month that Cassell was ineligible to serve because of a 30-year-old misdemeanor conviction for possessing stolen Cornish hens.