YELLVILLE, Ark. — On May 20, 2025, Douglas Starkey, 66, of Yellville, pleaded guilty in Marion County Circuit Court to one count of felony Theft of Property and one count of felony Abuse of Office.

This plea followed an investigation that was initiated at the request of the 14th Judicial Prosecutor’s Office due to concerns about missing funds at the Marion County Regional Airport, located in Flippin. Special agents from the Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division determined that Starkey, who had served as treasurer of the Airport Board of Directors, had stolen a total of $117,696 during his time as treasurer. ASP CID Special agents arrested Starkey on May 12, 2025.

As part of his sentence, Starkey will serve six years of probation and is required to pay full restitution of $117,696 to the Marion County Regional Airport.