Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up

Two players in Arkansas forgery case plead not guilty

Marcus Paige, Anton Beard

North Carolina guard Marcus Paige (5) attempts to steal the ball from Arkansas guard Anton Beard (31) during the second half of an NCAA tournament third round basketball game Saturday, March 21, 2015, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

AP

Two of three players involved in the Arkansas forgery case pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to charges of first-degree forgery, according to a report from the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Arkansas point guard Anton Beard and recent Middle Tennessee transfer Jacorey Williams were arraigned in Washington County Circuit Court. Beard was charged with three counts of first-degree forgery while Williams was charged with one count.

In Arkansas, first-degree forgery is a Class B felony and carries sentencing of five to 20 years in prison, a $15,000 fine, or both.

The other Arkansas player arrested in July, Dustin Thomas, has an arraignment scheduled for next week. Thomas and Beard remain suspended from the Arkansas basketball program while Williams was dismissed and moved on the Middle Tennessee.

The trio is accused of using counterfeit money at multiple Fayetteville businesses while using the counterfeit money to purchase good and exchange for real bills.