An Arkansas State Police trooper resigned Wednesday and was arrested immediately thereafter on 18 counts of violating laws relating to use of records retained by the Arkansas Crime Information Center as well as terroristic threatening and stalking.
54-year-old Mark Holland, a 19-year veteran of the Arkansas State Police, resigned from his post at the Highway Patrol Division, Troop B, in Newport. After submitting his letter of resignation, which was accepted by Col. Bill Bryant, director of the state police, Holland was arrested by special agents of the Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation division and was transported to the Independence County Jail. Bond has been set at $5,000.
According to state police, Holland is charged with 18 counts of violating laws limited access and use of information or records retained by the Arkansas Crime Information Center. The laws prohibit access and use of the records for non-law enforcement purposes, and any information gained from the records in the furtherance of committing other crimes is a Class D felony.
“I am both saddened and disappointed that someone who was among the ranks of the Arkansas State Police now stands accused of these crimes, but it is heartening to know we acted promptly to find the facts and present the evidence to the prosecuting attorney and court to hold this person accountable,” Bryant said.
Police say that Holland accessed the ACIC database unlawfully and used information from the database to contact an Independence County woman who he stalked and made statements that formed the basis of terroristic threatening.
According to police, the Arkansas State Police first became aware of the allegations surrounding Holland on Dec. 13., and the criminal investigation division opened a case while at the same time Holland was placed on paid administrative leave.
“As law enforcement officers we are expected by the public, and even among ourselves as protectors of the public, to live by standards both privately and professionally that exceed the principles of all others,” Bryant said.