CAMDEN — Ouachita County Judge Mike Hesterly, who is facing federal bribery and conspiracy charges, has announced plans to resign.
The El Dorado News-Times reported that Hesterly said in a letter of resignation that he will resign April 3 because of "health problems, current circumstances and other concerns."
Hesterly and contractor Harry Clemons Jr. of Bearden were charged in January with conspiring to award a federal disaster-relief grant to Clemons to clean up debris after two tornadoes in 2009 in exchange for Clemons making a contribution to Hesterly's re-election campaign.
Both men initially pleaded innocent, but Clemons changed his plea to guilty on March 18 and is awaiting sentencing.
Hesterly is scheduled to go to trial starting April 7 but has asked for a delay.