Judge who allegedly coerced male defendants into sex resigns

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — An Arkansas judge accused of having inappropriate sexual relationships with male defendants has resigned.

David Sachar, the executive director of the state’s Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission, said Monday that part-time Cross County District Judge Joe Boeckmann had submitted his letter of resignation.

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Boeckmann has agreed to never seek public office again at the state or local level.

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The panel alleges Boeckmann showed preferential treatment to white men and allowed sentencing not recorded on court dockets, including picking up trash at his home. He’s accused of taking inappropriate photographs of some defendants during those punishments and later coercing some of them into sexual acts in return for paying their attorney fees.

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Boeckmann has denied the allegations.

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