Two plead innocent to forgery

Arkansas guard Anton Beard reacts after being knocked to the floor during an SEC Tournament game against Tennessee on Friday, March 13, 2015, in Nashville, Tenn.

FAYETTEVILLE -- Arkansas sophomore guard Anton Beard and former forward Jacorey Williams pleaded innocent Wednesday to charges of first-degree forgery during their arraignments in Washington County Circuit Court.

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Judge Ray Reynolds assigned Beard and Williams an Oct. 27 court date.

Beard was charged with three counts of first-degree forgery, while Williams -- who transferred to Middle Tennessee State after being dismissed from the team Aug. 19 by Arkansas Coach Mike Anderson -- was charged with one count.

First-degree forgery is a Class B felony punishable upon conviction by five to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $15,000 or both.

Beard shook his head "no" when asked by a reporter if he wanted to comment Wednesday as he left the Washington County Detention Center. Williams didn't acknowledge the question when asked if he wanted to comment and continued walking out of the building.

Attorney W.H. Taylor is representing Beard. Attorney Drew Ledbetter is representing Williams.

Beard, Williams and Arkansas junior forward Dustin Thomas were arrested July 22 and accused of passing counterfeit money at Fayetteville businesses.

Thomas, a transfer from Colorado who must redshirt this season, has not yet been formally charged. He has an arraignment scheduled for Wednesday.

Beard and Thomas have been suspended from the team since their arrests but are enrolled at Arkansas for the fall semester.

Beard, from North Little Rock, and Williams, from Birmingham, Ala., waited with their parents and lawyers for about an hour at the detention center before being called to appear before the judge.

Beard, wearing a pink polo shirt and khaki pants, appeared first, followed by Williams, who wore a partially untucked dress shirt and khakis.

Beard, Thomas and Williams were arrested after Fayetteville police said they were positively identified on surveillance video passing counterfeit money at Fayetteville businesses July 17 and 18.

Beard, Thomas and Williams met with police July 22 and were cooperative, according to a report. They admitted to making the transactions shown on the surveillance video but denied knowing the money was counterfeit.

According to a police report, Beard exchanged six $50 counterfeit bills for three $100 bills and passed four counterfeit $20 bills while buying tobacco products and other merchandise. Thomas passed two counterfeit $20 bills buying tobacco products and merchandise and Williams passed one $20 counterfeit bill buying merchandise.

Police have been investigating counterfeit money being exchanged at Fayetteville business since late May, according to the arrest report.

Beard is the only returning starter from last season's 27-9 team that made Arkansas' first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2008. He averaged 5.7 points and 1.9 rebounds.

Sports on 09/03/2015