The Arkansas Court of Appeals has upheld the revocation of Governor D. Faulkner's probation, sentencing him to two concurrent five-year terms in the Arkansas Division of Correction. This decision comes after Faulkner failed to comply with sex-offender registration requirements, which is significant given his previous guilty plea to serious offenses. The ruling affects Faulkner directly and raises questions about accountability for public officials.
On October 7, 2026, the court ruled in case number CR-25-664 that Faulkner had violated the conditions of his probation. The ruling affirms the decision made by the Greene County Circuit Court, which found that Faulkner had not reported a change of address and had failed to pay court costs associated with his sentence.
Background
Governor D. Faulkner was convicted of sexual indecency with a child and attempting to disarm an officer, both classified as Class D felonies. In August 2024, he pleaded guilty to these charges and was sentenced to 48 months of supervised probation for each count. As part of his probation, he was required to follow all laws, including those related to sex-offender registration.
The state filed a petition to revoke Faulkner's probation on May 7, 2025, citing two main reasons: he had been removed from his residence at Agape House and had failed to report this change, and he owed $960 in court costs and fines without making any payments since his sentencing. The revocation hearing took place on July 14, 2025, where evidence was presented regarding Faulkner's compliance with probation conditions.
The Ruling
During the hearing, several witnesses testified against Faulkner. Frank Brawley, a volunteer at Agape House, stated that Faulkner had been asked to leave due to a positive alcohol test and was no longer living there as of February 18, 2025. Brendan Baldridge, the sex-offender-registration coordinator, explained that Faulkner was required to report any address changes immediately and that he had failed to do so.
In its ruling, the circuit court found the state's witnesses credible and determined that Faulkner had indeed violated the conditions of his probation. The court stated, "Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the State... Faulkner moved out of Agape House and off the property on February 17, 2025." The court concluded that Faulkner's failure to report his address change constituted a Class C felony and warranted the revocation of his probation.
Impact
This ruling has significant implications for Faulkner and sets a precedent regarding the enforcement of probation conditions for public officials. It emphasizes that no one, including a governor, is above the law when it comes to compliance with legal obligations. The court's decision reinforces the importance of adhering to sex-offender registration laws and the consequences of failing to do so.
The outcome of this case may also influence how similar cases are handled in the future. It highlights the court's commitment to upholding the law and ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their position, are held accountable for their actions.
What's Next
Faulkner has the option to appeal the court's decision, although details regarding any potential appeal were not mentioned in the court filing. There are no related cases pending that have been identified in the opinion.