Holland found guilty in high-speed chase case

Arkansas Sen. Bruce Holland, R-Greenwood, has been found guilty of three misdemeanor counts related to a January high-speed chase through Perry County.

According to this report at the Arkansas Times, Perry County District Judge Elizabeth Wise sentenced Holland to 400 hours of community and has to pay $890 in fines and court costs. Holland has to meet the community service sentence in Perry County, with the hours to be completed within 12 months. Bill Walters, Holland’s attorney and former Representative and Senator from Greenwood, said he would appeal the sentence.

On Jan. 24, Perry County Sheriff’s Deputy Ray Byrd and the Ola Police Department stopped Holland after what Byrd said was a more than 20 mile chase with Holland reaching speeds of possibly 110 m.p.h.

Holland, driving a 2003 Nissan 350Z, was released by Byrd and the Ola officer when they learned he was a State Senator. In a Tuesday interview, Byrd said at the time he was under the impression that legislators could not be arrested or fined. However, a 2003 opinion from then Attorney General Mike Beebe said legislators may be ticketed or arrested for alleged criminal behavior.

Holland issued a statement saying he was “truly sorry” for the incident.

“No one is above the law, and I take full responsibility for my actions,” Holland’s statement concluded.

It’s not likely that Holland’s conviction will make him ineligible to seek re-election. Holland has told The City Wire he intends to seek re-election.

Holland faces a primary for re-election to the newly redistricted Senate 9 seat. Rick Green, a former Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives, has announced he will seek the post. Former Republican Rep. John Verkamp is expected to announce for the seat.

The winner of a GOP primary will also have a November 2012 opponent. Rep. Tracy Pennartz, D-Fort Smith, has entered the race.