BENTONVILLE HUSBAND AND WIFE SENTENCED FOR WIRE FRAUD INVOLVING WALMART STORES

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 28, 2012

Texarkana, Arkansas-Conner Eldridge, United States Attorney for the Western District of
Arkansas, announced that Walter Richard Roberts, age 61 of Texarkana, Arkansas, was indicted by
a federal grand jury on charges of transporting a minor in interstate commerce with intent to engage
in sexual activity. Roberts was a youth baseball coach from 1986 through 1994. Roberts will be
arraigned at 1:00 p.m. before United States Magistrate Judge Barry Bryant in Federal Court in
Texarkana.
The indictment filed by the grand jury on August 22, 2012, alleges that Roberts transported
an individual identified as “M.S.” who was under age 18 at the time of the offense, in interstate
travel that occurred between 1988 and 1989. The indictment further alleges that this travel in
interstate commerce was with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity with the minor and that the
sexual activity would constitute the criminal offense of First Degree Sexual Abuse under Arkansas
law.
From 1986 to 1989, Roberts served as a baseball coach for 9 to 11 year-old boys who played
on the Texarkana, Arkansas, youth baseball team sponsored by Dox Sporting Goods. From 1989
through 1991, Roberts coached boys ages 11 through 14 on the Texarkana, Arkansas, youth baseball
team sponsored by Pepsi. From 1986 through 1994, Roberts served as coach for the Texarkana,
Arkansas All-Star Tournament youth baseball team for boys ages 9 through 14.
United States Attorney Eldridge commented, “Individuals who commit reprehensible,
horrendous acts on children victimize the most vulnerable among us and society in general in
unfathomable ways. Thanks to the hard work of the Texarkana Police Department and our
office, the charges in this indictment have been brought. As prosecutors and law enforcement,
we will work together to thoroughly investigate and prosecute all cases involving sexual abuse of
children.”
Texarkana, Arkansas Police Chief Bob Harrison stated, “Thanks to the determination and
consolidated efforts of the police department and the U.S. Attorney’s office, this case has been
brought. Collaborative efforts are essential to bringing sexual abuse cases and this case is a good
example.”
The Grand Jury’s indictment alleges that this conduct violated Title 18, United States
Code Section 2423 (a). If found guilty, the offense is punishable by up to ten years imprisonment
and a fine of up to $250,000.
Anyone with additional information regarding Richard Roberts should contact Sergeant
Bobby Jordan or Detective Jason Haak of the Texarkana, Arkansas Police Department at (903)
798-3154.
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