LITTLE ROCK — A state senator pleaded no contest Tuesday to charges that he fled from a sheriff’s deputy who tried to stop him for speeding.
Sen. Bruce Holland, R-Greenwood, entered the plea in Perry County Circuit Court to misdemeanor charges of fleeing, careless driving and improper passing. He had been convicted of all three offenses in a September bench trial in district court but had appealed the case to circuit court. The case was set to go to trial Feb. 21.
Holland was ordered to perform 80 hours of community service — his sentence in district court would have required him to perform 400 hours — and was assessed an $890 fine, which is the same fine he received in district court and which he already has paid.
Holland also apologized to the judge.
The charges stemmed from a Jan. 24, 2011, incident. Authorities said Holland refused to stop for a Perry County sheriff’s deputy and fled on Arkansas 10 in Perry and Yell counties at speeds up to 110 mph before stopping in Ola.
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Holland claimed in his bench trial and in interviews after the trial that he did not see the deputy chasing him and did not pass any vehicle unsafely. He did not immediately return a call Tuesday seeking comment.
Sixth Judicial District Prosecutor Larry Jegley said Tuesday he was satisfied with the resolution of the case.
“He did the right thing, and I’m glad that he did that,” Jegley said. “I’m glad that he acknowledged his respect for the law and the people of Perry County and the sheriff’s office and the court up there and the process.”
Jegley said in September that Holland “got off light” and vowed that Holland would not get offered a better deal in circuit court than he received in district court. On Tuesday, Jegley said that when he made that statement he had not realized it would take 10 straight 40-hour weeks to complete 400 hours.
“At first I didn’t do the calculation as to exactly how much community service that was,” he said, adding that 10 eight-hour days of community services is more in line with the sentences handed down in similar cases.
“I have good reason to believe that there was a miscalculation in the sentence that was then imposed of 400 hours. I think he’s going to learn his lesson and have it imprinted sufficiently with 80 hours,” he said.
A cattle rancher, Holland had no political experience before being elected in November 2010. A misdemeanor conviction does not bar a person from holding office in Arkansas, except for certain offenses such as bribery and embezzlement.
Senate President Pro Tem Paul Bookout, D-Jonesboro, said Tuesday he did not plan to seek a censure against Holland.
“I don’t know that something along those lines would really serve a great purpose,” he said.
Bookout added that Holland “has to answer to his constituents, like we all do.”
Holland made an apology on the Senate floor two days after the incident, saying then that “if I’ve caused anyone here any embarrassment for my actions, I apologize.”
Holland entered his plea four days after appearing at Mansfield High School to present a citation recognizing the school as the recipient of a national grant promoting teen driving safety.