Helena-West Helena, Arkansas – A man once trusted to uphold the law has been sentenced to 24 months in federal prison after being convicted of lying to the FBI during a corruption investigation. The 64-year-old Thomas David Carruth of Clarendon previously served as a district court judge in Monroe County, where he presided over both criminal and civil matters. His sentence was announced by United States Attorney Jonathan D. Ross for the Eastern District of Arkansas and was handed down on May 19, 2025, by U.S. District Judge D. Price Marshall Jr.
Carruth will serve his time in federal prison without the possibility of parole, as parole is not available in the federal system. His conviction stems from a 2022 incident involving inappropriate and unethical behavior with the girlfriend of a defendant who had a pending case in his courtroom.
According to court documents and trial evidence, the girlfriend met with Carruth in April 2022 to seek help getting her boyfriend’s charges dismissed. During this meeting — which she recorded — Carruth made a series of deeply inappropriate and sexually suggestive comments. He offered judicial assistance in exchange for sexual favors and a lingerie show, a demand that stunned even seasoned federal investigators.
“How do you feel about sex?” Carruth asked the woman, followed by, “The next step back from that is, do you have any nice lingerie? …Do you mind letting me see you in it?” In another disturbing exchange, he added, “So, if you change your mind about giving me a lingerie show…well, you got a body that can do it and if you have an attitude where you like to wear lingerie, I’d love to look – to see it on you…If you change your mind about seeing what an old man can do, you know…”
Federal Agents Misled by Former Judge’s Denials
Carruth’s conviction was not based on the solicitation itself, but rather on the lies he told federal investigators when they questioned him about the recorded meeting. According to the FBI, Carruth repeatedly denied having made any sexual requests or insinuations. He told agents that he did not “request,” “ask,” “offer,” make “overture[s] about,” “insinuate,” or “even [think] about,” sex with the defendant’s girlfriend.
However, the recording directly contradicted Carruth’s claims, leading to his conviction on one count of making false statements to federal agents. While the jury found him guilty of lying to the FBI, he was acquitted of the more severe charges including bribery, honest services fraud, and Travel Act violations.
Public Officials Held Accountable
U.S. Attorney Jonathan Ross strongly condemned Carruth’s abuse of power and attempt to escape justice through deception. “When judges exploit their positions for personal gain, they pervert justice which erodes public trust in the judiciary,” Ross said. “The sentence underscores that no one, including a debauched judge, is above the law.”
Alicia D. Corder, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Little Rock Field Office, emphasized the broader mission behind the investigation. “Officials who violate the public’s trust for their own personal gain have no place in our Arkansas communities,” she stated. “FBI Little Rock will continue to work with members of the ArkTrust Public Corruption Task Force to protect Arkansans from corruption and hold perpetrators accountable for their actions.”
The investigation was conducted by the FBI and prosecuted by Senior Litigation Counsel Nicholas W. Cannon and Trial Attorney Madison H. Mumma from the Justice Department’s Public Integrity Section. They received valuable assistance from Assistant United States Attorney Julie Peters.
Carruth’s sentencing marks the end of a case that has shaken public confidence in the legal system and served as a harsh reminder that no public servant is exempt from accountability under the law.
