FORT SMITH, Ark. (AP) — A Fort Smith bail bondsman is charged with converting to his own use $120,000 he received in collateral on a bond.
The Southwest Times Record reports that 41-year-old Terry Lynn Watkins was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of theft by deception, a felony.
Authorities say Watkins wrote a bond for Francis Robillard in Crawford County, and the bond was secured by $120,000 cash in a trust account. After Robillard didn't show up in court, Watkins' employer, First Arkansas Bail Bonds paid the bond after Watkins couldn't produce the money.
Watkins told investigators he invested the money to try to generate income for the company and used some to catch up on his bills.
Watkins was released on a $10,000 bond. It was unclear whether he has an attorney.
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