2 Sections • 30 Pages Thursday, May 14, 2015 th GLENWOOD uSPS 220-180 90 Year • Issue 20 ¢ HERALDSERVING GLENWOOD, ARKANSAS & THE DIAMOND LAKES SINCE 1926 75 SEE uS ONLINE: WWW.SWARKANSASNEWS.COM AND WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/GLENWOOD HERALD Jester arrested on theft Caddo Hill wins state of property charges track championship GLENWOOD -- Jeffrey Lynn Jester of Glenwood was arrested Monday May 11 as a result of an in- 14’ 2” and William Bruce won the discus throw vestigation stemming from allegations of her former BY DEWAYNE HOLLOWAY with a toss of 133’ 4”. employer. Editor, Montgomery County News Larissa Martin led the charge for the girls Jester, 49, was detained in the Pike County De- with 28 points with Haley Forest close behind tention Facility pending bond on a felony charge of Sophomore pole vaulter Matthew Standridge with 26. theft of property. set a new 1A state record with a vault of 14 feet Martin earned the Lady Indians lone victory On Tuesday Judge Tom Cooper set bond in the 2 inches last week as the Caddo Hills Indians on the track with a win in the 300M hurdles with amount of $25,000. rolled to another outdoor track state title. a time of :51.22 According to police reports, January 21, Todd The Indians’ winning score of 130 points al- Haley Forest dominated the throwing events, George, owner of Glenwood Physical Therapy Cen- most doubled the effort of second place Trinity winning the shot put (35’ 4”) and the discus ter, reported to the Pike County Sheriff’s Depart- Christian who tallied 71 points. throw (101’ 9.5”) ment that an employee had been embezzling funds The roles were reversed on the girls’ side with Kayla Torbett won the pole vault with a vault from the business prior to its cessation of operations. Trinity Christian walking away with a state title of 11 feet. George provided detailed documented records to and the Lady Indians inishing second with 70 points. For complete results, see next week’s Herald. indicate that over a ive month period -- beginning May 20, 2014 through December 9, 2014 -- approx- Seth Powell led the Indians effort with 26 imately $1,460.80 went unaccounted for from the points, scoring in four events. - business’ deposits. Submitted Photo/PCSO The Indians dominated the ield, earning vic All the missing funds were recorded in receipts JEFFREY LYNN JESTER tories in ive events. Junior Gonzalez won the 3200M run with a and posted onto accounts in the form of cash pay- back.” time of 11:08.60 and Christian Duggan won the ments, however deposit records indicated that the Kinzler then asked of her involvement of addi- 300M hurdles with a time of :44.99. funds were never accounted for in bank deposits and tional missing funds further back in the spreadsheet The team of Colton McNamee, Terrick Hul- could not additionally be accounted for in any other and she responded “I don’t know.” - business related transaction. Following the confession of the theft of $750, vey, Matthew Standridge and Seth Powell in ished second in preliminary races, but came George further reported that unaccounted “ran- Jester signed a consent to search form authorizing away with the win in the 4x100M relay with a dom” deposits totaling $310.00 were made from Kinzler to view the text messages between her and time of :45.84 September 11, 2014 through October 8, 2014 which George. Matthew Standridge raised the bar in the pole resulted in an outstanding loss by theft of $1,150.80. The inal message from Jester to George was sent vault event with a state record setting victory at George further stated that in each case of the re- on January 17, 2015 at 1:31 a.m. and, according to ceipts for the missing funds were receipted-in by a records, reads as follows: “Please know that I never former employee Ms. Jeffery Jester. He provided meant to take from you. I know you get reports. investigators business records to indicate the prop- I was going to put it back at end of year. I never erly documented receipt of the funds including hand meant to take from you. I was trying to get through Beloved citizen remembered written receipts bearing the signature of Jester, as the holidays. I know Joyce checks reports I wasn’t BY DANIELLE BROWN years. He served around 20 years on the Pike County well as bank statements to conirm the deposits of steeling. But I know it looks that way. You told me a What do you get when you drop a mischievous, Fair Board, many as Vice-President. He was an ac- the missing amounts were not processed. few weeks ago you was not a good boss or father. I horse racing Cajun in Glenwood, Arkansas in the tive member of the Arkansas Beefmaster Breeders On May 11, Jester was interviewed at the Pike was not a good employee or mother. I have tried jug- 1980s? Association and worked on the Arkansas State Fair County Sheriff’s Department about the incident. gling being single parent and keep the clinic going. You get one of Glenwood’s most beloved citizens Board. During the interview, Jester initially denied any il- I am very tired I promise I was going to put it back and round-table dweller -- now the late, Don Co- In years not serving in an oficial capacity, he still legal activity, but later did acknowledge her receipt at end of year. I never ever thought I would ever meaux. gave his time and service in many other ways. of and accessing to the missing funds, however con- do this. I know you don’t trust me. When the clinic The Comeaux family arrived in Glenwood in the Don loved to cook, especially Cajun specialties, tended that other ofice workers also had access to closed I thought how am I ever going to explain this. mid-1980s, and by all accounts, were welcomed and as anyone in the area can relate. He was often found the funds. I felt close to you up until the last 8 months. Felt swiftly adopted, adding Cajun spice and humor to frying turkey, boiling crawish and making gumbo. During the continuation of the interview, Pike like I couldn’t talk to you. You were different. Todd, the culture of a small town. “He loved to help people,” said his son Cody. “He County Detective Sergeant Kinzler provided Jester what are you going to do I am totally scared to death. Don was a jack of all trades, having spent pre- cooked for a lot of different people and groups. He with information indicating the missing amounts. I know everyone has told so many lies over several vious years working in the oil ield industry in a mowed for folks who needed help. He would give Upon hearing the amounts, Jester allegedly replied years. Everyone has sinned. Getting specs out of variety of capacities. Possibly it was among these anyone the shirt off his back,” he said. “I didn’t take all that.” ones eyes when there is logs in others. I just know friends where he developed his penchant for telling His kids also relate that he was always dressed Jester then stated that she had sent the owner of I get caught at everything I have ever done. Seems a story. neat and sharp. “Always starched jeans and shirts.” the clinic,“Todd”, a text explaining that she had everyone else can take in different ways. I know that Or, as most who knew him would say, “He was “He was even dressed that way on the lawnmow- taken funds from the business but would pay it I will pay you back. Please please don’t tell this and just born that way.” er,” they laughed as they shared memories of their back, then allegedly admitted to theft of funds from especially to my girls. I have raised them so dif- Before the oil ield days, there was another inter- Dad. the business in the amount of $750 to “get through ferent. They are good kids. My mom would be do esting chapter in his story. In recent years, Don was often found visiting his Christmas.” disappointed in me. I will never ever ever do this A visit into the OK Café, shares a small glimpse friends at the local cafe round-tables. Jester later allegedly admitted that the $750 was again. I never thought I would stop to this. I truly of a man who experienced life, for some years, on “He was one who, when you walked in the cafe, not a lump sum incident, but was over several oc- though I could put it back before end of year. Todd. the back of a fast horse. Don was a quarter-horse would always catch your eye and make it a point to casions with two occasions consisting of a $300.00 I am truly sorry. I am so depressed. I never meant to jockey in the 1960s, racing at many tracks in Louisi- speak and asked about your family. He always had a amount on December 9, 2014 and another being a disappoint you. Too damn late for that. All I can say ana. A high point of his racing career included win- smile and concern for others,” said a friend. $400.00 amount from November 6, 2014. is I am sorry and I am so ashamed. Words can’t even ning the irst ever race at the old Evangeline Downs He was an active “Poppy” to seven grandkids he Jester stated to police “that’s the two that I know, explain it.