Cotton Plant city employees arrested on theft charges

LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin issued the following statement announcing the arrest of Katrina Criswell, 47, and Lakeyia Alexander, 29, both Cotton Plant city employees, on charges of Theft of Property, both D Felonies:
“Those who work in local government hold a special public trust, as they are closest to the people. Both of the accused falsified their time sheets to claim more hours than they were authorized to work, thus increasing their salary without the knowledge and approval of the Mayor of Cotton Plant or the City Council. Stealing from the city that employs you is an affront to the hardworking taxpayers that pay you.
“I thank the special agents of my office’s Public Integrity Unit for their investigation leading to today’s arrests. I also extend gratitude to officers of the Augusta Police Department and deputies of the Woodruff County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance.”

Both Criswell and Alexander worked for the Cotton Plant Mayor’s Office. In February 2023, while the mayor was out of office on medical leave, they falsified their time sheets to claim more hours worked than the 20 hours per week budgeted for them. The increased hours resulted in more than $5,000 in unauthorized wages for both Criswell and Alexander.
The pair are being held in the Woodruff County Jail.