HOT SPRINGS, AR – A Gurdon man has pleaded guilty to a 2013 kidnapping that led to a woman’s death.
Kevin Bolton, 39, entered his plea Monday afternoon in Federal Court in Hot Springs, according to a news release issued by Conner Eldridge, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas.
According to court records, on March 12, 2013, the victim visited an apartment in Gurdon, where she ran into Bolton. Witnesses said they left the apartment together around midnight in her vehicle. The woman’s body was found in the trunk of her car after Bolton was pulled over in North Carolina eight days later.
“This was a horrendous, despicable crime. We will not tolerate acts of violence in our communities, and we will stand up for victims of crime and their families across Arkansas. I appreciate all of the hard work by Clark County Sheriff, Jason Watson and Clark County Prosecuting Attorney, Blake Batson in cooperating to see that justice was done in this case,” Eldridge said in the release.
“This was an extraordinary investigation conducted by Sheriff Jason Watson, his deputies, and Special Agent, Scott Clark with the Arkansas State Police,” added Clark County Prosecuting Attorney, Blake Batson. “Their efforts and the work of U. S. Attorney Conner Eldridge brought justice to this case. We are hopeful that this sentence will bring some closure to this family.”
“I believe justice has been served today for Cassie and her family,” said Clark County Sheriff, Jason Watson. “I appreciate the work by U.S. attorney Eldridge, Prosecuting Attorney Blake Batson, and everyone involved in this case. There were multiple agencies involved throughout Arkansas and North Carolina. Without their assistance this would not have been possible.”
An autopsy conducted in North Carolina ruled the cause of death was asphyxiation due to strangulation.
Bolton will be sentenced on a later date and faces life in prison.
Kevin Bolton, 39, entered his plea Monday afternoon in Federal Court in Hot Springs, according to a news release issued by Conner Eldridge, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas.
According to court records, on March 12, 2013, the victim visited an apartment in Gurdon, where she ran into Bolton. Witnesses said they left the apartment together around midnight in her vehicle. The woman’s body was found in the trunk of her car after Bolton was pulled over in North Carolina eight days later.
“This was a horrendous, despicable crime. We will not tolerate acts of violence in our communities, and we will stand up for victims of crime and their families across Arkansas. I appreciate all of the hard work by Clark County Sheriff, Jason Watson and Clark County Prosecuting Attorney, Blake Batson in cooperating to see that justice was done in this case,” Eldridge said in the release.
“This was an extraordinary investigation conducted by Sheriff Jason Watson, his deputies, and Special Agent, Scott Clark with the Arkansas State Police,” added Clark County Prosecuting Attorney, Blake Batson. “Their efforts and the work of U. S. Attorney Conner Eldridge brought justice to this case. We are hopeful that this sentence will bring some closure to this family.”
“I believe justice has been served today for Cassie and her family,” said Clark County Sheriff, Jason Watson. “I appreciate the work by U.S. attorney Eldridge, Prosecuting Attorney Blake Batson, and everyone involved in this case. There were multiple agencies involved throughout Arkansas and North Carolina. Without their assistance this would not have been possible.”
An autopsy conducted in North Carolina ruled the cause of death was asphyxiation due to strangulation.
Bolton will be sentenced on a later date and faces life in prison.