Arraignment for UA players rescheduled for next week

Anton Beard, Jacorey Williams and Dustin Thomas
Anton Beard, Jacorey Williams and Dustin Thomas

— The arraignments for suspended Arkansas basketball players Anton Beard and Dustin Thomas and former Razorback Jacorey Williams, who was dismissed from the team by Coach Mike Anderson last week, were reset Monday to Sept. 2.

The three, who were arrested July 22 in connection with a forgery investigation, had been scheduled to be arraigned Monday in Washington County Circuit Court. Matt Durrett, Washington County Prosecuting Attorney, said the arraignments were rescheduled because attorneys representing Beard, Thomas and Williams had scheduling conflicts.

All three are free on $2,500 bond while awaiting trial. The three were arrested on preliminary charges of forgery by Fayetteville police, in cooperation with the Secret Service, as part of a two-month investigation into the passing of counterfeit money. Prosecutors have not filed formal charges in the case.

All were caught on surveillance video passing counterfeit money at three area businesses, according to an arrest report.

Beard is suspected of nine counts of first-degree forgery, while Thomas is suspected of two counts and Williams one, police say.

First-degree forgery is a Class B felony in Arkansas and can carry penalties of five to 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $15,000 upon conviction.

Police suspect the three of passing 13 bills at three area businesses July 17-18.

According to an arrest report, Beard exchanged six counterfeit $50 bills for three $100 bills and passed four counterfeit $20 bills while buying tobacco products and other merchandise.

Thomas passed two counterfeit $20 bills buying tobacco and merchandise, and Williams passed one counterfeit $20 for merchandise, according to the police report.

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