Jonesboro Parks and Recreation director placed on leave amid FBI investigation

Jonesboro Parks and Recreation Director Danny Kapales has been placed on administrative leave due to him being the target of an ongoing FBI investigation, according to the city. Officials learned of the investigation Tuesday (Dec. 2) morning and Kapales was placed on leave.

Why Kapales is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Justice and if it has any connection to his work with the city was not released.

“The city is fully cooperating with this investigation and will continue to do so for the duration,” said Mayor Harold Copenhaver. “Mr. Kapalas was immediately placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of this investigation.”

Assistant Jim Stearns will be the acting Parks and Recreation director until further notice.

“As this is an ongoing investigation, the city of Jonesboro will make no further comments on this matter,” the city stated. “Any questions may be directed to the public information officer for the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Little Rock field office.”

Kapales has served as the city’s Parks and Recreation director since February 2018 when former director Wixson Huffstetler resigned citing “personal reasons.”

Kapales earns $81,750 per year, according to public records, but that figure has not been updated since 2023.