Former judge faces federal charges, including alleged sex solicitation from defendant girlfriend

A former county judge in Arkansas is facing several federal charges for allegedly soliciting sex from the girlfriend of a defendant.

Monroe County District Court Judge Thomas David Carruth was  arrested Thursday on the charges, according to the Justice Department.

The 63-year-old Carruth is charged with three counts of honest services wire fraud, three counts of using a facility in interstate commerce in furtherance of unlawful activity, one count of bribery, one count of making false statements, and one count of obstruction of justice.

The charges stem from an April 2022 incident in whick Carruth allegedly solicited sex from the girlfriend of a defendant who had a case in his court, federal prosecutors say.

The former judge allegedly agreed to expedite the defendant's case in exchange for a sexual favor.

Carruth is accused of lying to the FBI when questioned about the incident.

If convicted, he could face at least 20 years in prison.

Carruth told a local TV station this past June that he is being blackmailed. He also said he contacted state law enforcement and the FBI and denied taking bribes.