Judge charged after ‘trading’ lower sentences for gay sex with young criminals
The judge is accused of exchanging sexual acts and naked photos with defendants.
A retired judge has been charged with fraud and bribery for allegedly trading lighter sentences with male defendants in exchange for sexual favours.
Arkansas judge Joseph Boeckmann resigned in May, after a number of men claimed he paid them to allow him to spank them with a paddle.
He also forced some of the men to pose naked for photographs following their encounters, with hundreds of nude images discovered on his computer.
Boeckmann pleaded not guilty during a court appearance, but was later remanded in custody.
He faces 21 counts on federal charges that include wire fraud, witness tampering, and bribery.
He faced a disciplinary hearing earlier this year 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 also 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.
It has also been alleged the former Cross County District Court judge had more than 4,600 photos of nude or semi-nude men in his possession – including one defendant aged 16.
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.”
It also alleged that the judge used his authority to seek “out young Caucasian male litigants”, for the purpose of sexual relationships.
Boeckmann previously denied doing anything wrong, claiming the photos were taken to “to corroborate participation in community service.”
