Arkansas ex-judge indicted on federal charges due in court

Published October 19, 2016

This photo provided by the Pulaski County Sheriffs Office shows Joseph Boeckmann. Boeckman is a former Arkansas judge accused of giving lighter sentences to defendants in exchange for nude photos and sexual acts tried to bribe witnesses and had an accomplice threaten to make one of them "disappear," federal prosecutors said shortly after his arrest Monday, Oct. 17, 2016. (Pulaski County Sheriffs Office via AP) (The Associated Press)

A former Arkansas judge accused of giving lighter sentences to defendants in exchange for nude photos and sexual acts is due in court for a detention hearing.

Authorities say former Cross County District Judge Joseph Boeckmann has been held in protective custody in a Little Rock jail since his arrest Monday. A federal grand jury indicted Boeckmann earlier this month on fraud, bribery, witness tampering and other charges.

A Pulaski County Sheriff's Office spokesman says Boeckmann is on suicide watch. Boeckmann is due in federal court at 2 p.m. Wednesday, when his bond could be set.

Boeckmann, who resigned earlier this year, has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

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https://www.foxnews.com/us/arkansas-ex-judge-indicted-on-federal-charges-due-in-court