Judge quits after ‘trading’ lower sentences for sex with young criminals
A judge has quit, after he was caught offering to lower sentences for male criminals in exchange for sex.
Joseph Boeckmann, who served as a district judge in Cross County, Arkansas for six years, was accused of taking advantage of young male defendants.
He faced a disciplinary hearing after the Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission alleged that he gave preferential treatment, including greatly reduced sentences, to men who performed sexual favours and helped him with ‘personal work’.
The Commission alleged that he often told young male offenders to contact him at his home to complete “community sentences” such as picking up litter… but would instead solicit them for sex in exchange for reductions of or dismissals of their court fines and costs.
He also forced some of the men to pose naked for photographs, and hundreds of nude images were recovered from his computer.
The Commission adds: “They all depict young men, many naked who are in various poses inside the judge’s home and outside in his yard.
“There are numerous photos of naked young men bending over after an apparent paddling.”
Boechmann previously denied doing anything wrong, claiming the photos were taken to “to corroborate participation in community service.”
It also alleged that the judge used his authority to seek “out young Caucasian male litigants”, for the purpose of sexual relationships.
The report continues: “Beoeckmann has engaged in a consistent pattern of seeking out young Caucasian male litigants… for the purpose of forming personal, sexual relations with the litigants, thus creating a self-imposed conflict of interest for himself.”
He quit today, confirming to the Commision that his resignation was effective immediately, and that he would never again seek a job as a local, county or state employee.
