Ex-judge gets 40 years in drug case

LITTLE ROCK — A federal judge says a former northeast Arkansas judge convicted of drug conspiracy charges should spend 40 years in prison.

The judge imposed a tougher sentence on Bob Sam Castleman Friday after prosecutors linked him to the death of a witness who intended to testify against him. An FBI agent said Castleman traveled from a West Memphis casino to Travis Perkins' apartment, donned a trenchcoat and a wig, and shot Perkins to death last year.

Defense lawyer Blake Hendrix had said it was improper to consider Perkins' death during a sentencing hearing and that Castleman should face no more than 46 months in prison. Castleman has not been charged in the killing.

Ten years ago, Castleman was convicted of mailing a venomous snake to a man during a property dispute.

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