HEBER SPRINGS, AR – Special Agents with the Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division have arrested Zackery Cothren, 47, Director of the Cleburne County Public Library, on felony charges of Theft of Property and Abuse of Office.
The arrest follows a May 22, 2025, request from Sixteenth Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Drew Smith after a Legislative Audit revealed questionable purchases and possible fraud involving library employees.
On September 11, 2025, an arrest warrant was issued for Cothren. He was taken into custody at his residence in Cleburne County and transported to the Cleburne County Detention Center. He was later released on a $5,000 bond.
Investigators determined that approximately $78,000 in public funds were misappropriated. Cothren has served as the library’s director for 20 years.
