Date Posted: 1/24/2013 11:33:25 AM. "We are more convinced than ever that we have a lawsuit against all three defendants. "Ralph's dad was a very well-thought-of man here. 1999-2001 by Joy Russell. In the 12 elections since, he has been opposed only five times. All I have is hearsay," said Joy Russell, the county's leading historian. "Since I've been sheriff, we hadn't hardly got any meth at all," he said in June. Many asked that they not be identified. I've never been satisfied doing that, and I'm reasonably sure Ralph hasn't either. "That's all I realized, and that he was a very small man.". Based on the 2010 census, the population was 15,717. Ralph Baker Dead 1/8/98 Instead, he said, the sheriff recruited him as an informant and handed him $50 from his wallet. The lumber and wood-products business is a major source of employment, according to census records. He said he doesn't worry about the criminal consequences of a crystal methamphetamine -- or "crank" -- habit that costs $4,800 to $6,000 a week. Roy Cain stated at Ralph's funeral when talking about a replacement He's alone down this ole' highway. Ralph Francis Baker. "I sold to her. ", Although Baker's daughter denied it, Harp said the two girls and Judy Maggard, Harp's sister, had smoked two joints and got "higher than I usually get off just pot. Well, he walks up to the driver's window, But she'll have to give me half of it back.". The previous elected sheriff was Ralph Baker, who was in office for 25 years before drowning while trying to drive across a low-water bridge over the White River near St. Paul. : Enfield also rejected a five-page "friend of the court" brief filed by William Jefferson Clinton, a young University of Arkansas law professor. "But he ain't eating corn on the cob.". "So he made a profit. One of the transactions is the partnership with Ham and his wife, Margie. He also does not obtain court orders for the destruction of drugs, creating what other police officials say is the potential for theft. and may not be duplicated without permission, Investigator David L Bell Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC, WE could use more sheriff's like him. He ended the June interview when the subject came up. Its about Arkansas outlaws and their pot way of life. But he said such deals weren't unusual among attorneys, police and prosecutors in Northwest Arkansas. Photo/Video will be published upon admin review and approval. Minor said Baker took the cash without question but that the two never discussed its purpose. In his book he talks about being involved in alleged marijuana-growing operations under Baker, and current Madison County Sheriff Philip Morgan said McElyea found himself in the county jail. Information for this article was contributed by staff writer Michael Whiteley. A police officer he is known. With a handful of household chemicals and some ingredients used in hog feed, dealers can produce a drug that sells for $1,600 to $2,000 an ounce. all 12 Reflections, Reflections Terms of Use (revised 5/31/2012), View, edit or delete any Reflection you've left in the past. And Everett and Knox said problems with Baker reached the breaking point when they developed fresh leads involving drugs. Fayetteville lawyer Terry Harper had handled some of his son's previous run-ins with the law. For one drug dealer who operates within a mile of downtown Huntsville, that means raising and spending as much as $6,000 a week. The terrain is very hilly and rocky which doesn't seem like a good area for grow ops. As the case developed, Minor's father, Illinois oil well driller F.M. It was a curious election, with allegations of widespread voter fraud. "He doesn't like that.". The convicted thief and drug dealer, now 34, said she refused when Baker asked her to set up his former son-in-law in a drug deal during a 1994 custody fight over Baker's granddaughter. Contact. It could also have something to do with land prices, which can vary widely. "Up here right now don't put a price on anything unless you want to sell it," said Kenneth Baker. Copyright 1999 - All Rights Reserved Johnson said they beat him up after he intervened in a squabble between Baker and a female employee at Fayetteville's Bottoms Up Club on March 4, 1993. Harper told F.M. HUNTSVILLE Ralph Baker has been buying land longer than he's been sheriff, at least since 1967. The question I had was what is Ralph going to do with it.". But Leathers said Baker was in charge. One in every five Madison County residents lives below the poverty level. The records paint a picture of an astute businessman who aggressively bought low and sold high. ", BARE KNUCKLES, A DEFERRED SENTENCE AND QUESTIONS ABOUT AN ELECTION. A Harley enthusiast given to wearing biker gear, Baker wore tan pants, a black shirt and gold chains to the federal courthouse. "We know the sheriff was doing an investigation," Leathers said. "Rusty Cain's been f****** her. My folks were too, and we know so many people," he said. Residents say it was a haven for bank robbers and other outlaws in the 1920s. And each day when he leaves for work, Ham said he asked the Bakers in because "I had just bought some other land and didn't have the money.". Again, he and relatives received land instead of money in some deals, and some acreages moved back and forth among family members. "That's why Ralph really almost had to sell it to us, because he knows how much that land means to us, and all the family is buried up there in that Brashears Cemetery. The remaining corner of the day's score buys sex -- with a little return on the investment -- about 9 p.m. "I'd go down and say, 'Hey, look at what I've got. He asked the guy for a driver's license, Ten days after the court order, Mildred Gulledge bought Wheeler's land for $6,000. And some who listened cared less, Phone: (808) 541-3000 Established on March 18, 1959 I never bought from her," said one convicted drug dealer, adding that Criss provided a valuable service for the county's outlaws, who didn't have insurance. (This data I summarized from the front page of Madison County Record dated Jan 8, 1998. I knew he bought land. In 1996, the Hams and Bakers sold 40 of the 120 acres to Phillip McGarrah Jr. and Phillip McGarrah Sr. A notice of escrow documenting the transaction does not indicate a price. Then I'd go on and after supper I'd probably halve it again and do a quarter. After viewing product detail pages, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in. All rights reserved. him". "Billie Phillips, g****** it!" Kenneth Baker said he doesn't recall, either. "But I have no idea how he obtained [all] the land. David L. Bell Revenue Commissioner Tim Leathers said Criss submitted a "routine resignation" while she was under investigation by Baker for issuing phony driver's licenses and license plate stickers. "I try to never have any bills. : Baker and his partners now own at least 1,450 acres, mostly in southern Madison County, valued at $227,865, according to tax records. It wasn't his first conviction. A year later, with Crumbley retiring, Baker won office as part of a slate of political newcomers, defeating Republican Johnny Reed 2,844-2,681. Wheeler also said she didn't recall filing the lawsuit. "Some of the two- and three-way deals, you might make a couple of thousand dollars each off of it," he said. For at least half his life, he was known to . 'Cause in a moment the officer was dead. A letter of condolence from President But an enterprising deputy circuit clerk found a docket sheet detailing the case of State of Arkansas vs. Ralph Baker and Eugene Masterson. Martin said the land remains unimproved, "just woods.". Although he has been committed for drug and psychiatric treatment, he says there's no way out from the crank. He isn't afraid of being arrested by the sheriff. If you gather all this stuff up, probably if you figure it all out, I've probably made 50[,000] or 100,000 dollars off of land transactions over 30 years," he said. Most of Baker's transactions have occurred since 1982, with bursts of activity in the late 1980s and 1992-94. Something we hope you'll especially enjoy: FBA items qualify for FREE Shipping and Amazon Prime. All rights reserved. "I've worked with Ralph Baker 21 years. In all, Enfield tossed out 150 votes, and Democrats admitted to 19 defective ballots. Please try again. Those dreams became reality for David Mac after the young man from Michigan settled in Madison County, Arkansas. The county was formed on September 30, 1836. With what's left, I'd cut off one little corner and save it and then do the rest of that.". Madison County residents could be seen with bumper stickers which said 1914/10/19. "What we're probably going to end up doing is allotting about 10 of it over on Craig and five on her just to make it look like we're doing it for both of them instead of just trying to buy Craig out," Harper told Minor. He radioed his office at 12:27 p.m. for the telephone number of Arkansas State Police criminal investigator Doug Fogley and made a frantic call to Fogley's home. asked Fogley, not recognizing the name of a woman he knew better as Billie Jean McKnight. 'Cause a waitress has his salary beat. Fifty-eight reached disposition, yielding 51 convictions -- an average of about 10 per year. Both say he is above reproach. 201 W. Main St. Huntsville 72740 (479) 738-6721 http://madisoncogov.com County Judge Larry Garrett Phone: (479) 738-6721 Fax: (479) 738-1544 Mailing Address: P.O. "A lot of people call it that, but I don't know the origin.". From the first marijuana seed he planted, to the Devil's bargain Mac struck with Sheriff Baker, this book explores their harrowing journey on the twisted outlaw trail. At his home he cannot be found. Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05. But, in pretrial testimony, club owner Jeannie Ward cited three separate incidents involving Baker that night. Most importantly, this book reveals one of Arkansas' darkest secrets, and demystifies one of its greatest legends. "A lot of people live paycheck to paycheck and day to day. The judge deferred the sentence pending good behavior, and Baker never went to prison. "They're doing Craig and me and you and everybody one hell of a favor here," Harper reminded Minor. It was a bed, Phillips' family said later, in which no one ever slept. ), Reviewed in the United States on January 8, 2017, The terrain is very hilly and rocky which doesn't seem like a good area for grow ops, Reviewed in the United States on July 19, 2016. Six of every 10 of its adults have graduated high school. If you go there, stay to established campgrounds and or use outdoor guide services, or be armed and watch your back. He acknowledges that former Special Prosecutor John Everett and former investigator Jack Knox kept from him much of what they found during the 16 months they headed the investigation. To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we dont use a simple average. Madison County's law enforcement department had been developed into one Green S.C. State Constables. Baker declined to say whether he and Noreta had family money to work with. Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. "I don't know how much you boys make writing stories, but we pay pretty well," Baker said. The back of his head and his ribs were tender. Baker's biggest transaction occurred two years ago. Berea . . Please bring me home after my shift 'Cause the crooks don't get any time. by. Regardless, the story he tells is compelling. The former Madison County oil man, F.M. In large part, he has been dealing with old friends, acquaintances and neighbors, buying and selling judiciously, usually at a profit. Craig and his wife could pay out the remaining $5,000 at $200 a month. As prosecutors and investigators sorted through clues obscured by mistakes at the crime scene and the state forensics laboratory, a changing cast of law enforcement officials sardonically wondered who hadn't slept with Billie Phillips -- and who in this rural county lacked a motive to kill her. The man, Joey Bingham, began kicking the patrol car before the two officers forced him into the car and drove him back to the sheriff's office, Baker testified in a subsequent civil lawsuit. Ride safe in heaven. The ensuing court fight reached the Arkansas Supreme Court twice before Republicans accepted the ruling of Circuit Judge W.H. Ralph Baker would say little about his family or his early days in St. Paul, but friends say he grew up with two passions -- hunting and fighting. Any deals that's made will have to be made through your attorney,'" Minor said. Harper first told Minor that he would have to pay Baker and the DEA $15,000 to keep his son out of prison. It makes me wonder what the "Macster" was smoking as he re-read the manuscript. Arkansas Forestry Commission figures show Madison County produced 111,557 tons of hardwood and 11,502 tons of pine in 1996. Morgan has. An itemization in the auditor's working papers shows $4,511.93 was paid to confidential informants between July 14, 1995, and Oct. 23, 1996. Drug dealers who acknowledge being paid by either Baker's agency or the federal Drug Enforcement Administration for help with Madison County drug busts say they never received payments of more than $100, and then no more often than a few times a year. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. "I sold it to him without her knowledge," she said. He was attempting to cross a low water bridge which was covered with water. Minor said, the case felt like a setup. "I think real estate's a good investment. When a commodity is illegal it will be hugely profitable and no one should be surprised the cops will want in on that! He is survived by his wife and two children. Assessor Edward D. "Buck" Ham, who partnered with Baker to buy 120 acres in 1987 and then to sell them nine years later, said Baker is simply a good businessman who knows how and when to buy and sell. Reviewed in the United States on October 20, 2010, It just amazes me how these weed growers, as first time authors, write so well. "Whether it's what you pick from your nose or what your grandmother told you came out of the woods," Baker said, "people don't seem to mind it.". "I went to some people, and Ralph was one. Thank you for your service to the citizens of Madison County and your fellowman. .you for I know both the pain and pride are forever. But the Department's budget didn't buy A 1958 envelope that once held the details of two felonies still sits in the vault of the old courthouse in neighboring Washington County. He was one of three children of William McKinley Baker, a former vaudeville musician, and Evangeline Verruchi, the 1927 queen of the Tontitown Grape Festival. He listed his age as 18, hers as 16. by Used with Special Permission of the Author Fort Smith lawyer Matthew Horan once investigated the case in connection with a client he was defending. That came soon after Minor and Samuelson had taken one of Baker's informants into the woods and pulled four of his teeth with pliers. A week after the murder, Cain was fired for interfering in the investigation. Sheriff Ralph Baker, the man who befriended David Mac, and taught him what it means to be an outlaw. Now, Baker and the state police are back in charge. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness. That's no way for a sheriff to be acting," Johnson said he told Baker. He starts his shift each day In Huntsville's drug community, sex is just another form of currency. Create a free ODMP account now for these benefits: Create an account for more options, or use this form to leave a Reflection now. They haven't seen him since. Madison County Sheriff's Office, Arkansas. to number about 2000 gathering to honor Sheriff Baker. Want even more control of your Reflection? It is empty. "I think for the NCAA,, until you actually had NIL, it would be hard to know what it was going to look like . And you'll never live long enough to see him out of the pen again,'" Minor remembers. Federal agents are now seeking to interview Cordes. Clients receive knowledgeable guidance from experienced, multi-disciplined industry and client service teams, all seamlessly connected across 22 offices in Alabama, Florida . Location: Arkansas, United States. Neither she nor Brashears knew who wanted the land for the shop. The newspaper examined more than 200 documents. Deputy Mike Jeffers Franklin County Sheriff's dept. Baker said in the June interview that he had probably put the drugs into his truck to drive to the state Crime Laboratory in Little Rock for testing. But Harp said she then ran afoul of the sheriff when she stole $80,000 from a home in the community of Hilltop. My husband remembers some of the things that happened. A bachelor party for a federal drug agent led to another allegation of brutality. Most of the entire front page plus some of the other pages was dedicated to him and the accident.) ", But Enfield did say the trial helped illustrate that Madison County is a "different world.". I pray for solace for all those who love and miss Indeed, Baker's internal records show that Baker and Chief Deputy Steve Treat paid a total of $835 to drug informants between 1993 and September 1997 in amounts ranging from $25 to $125. 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