December 11, 2025

HELENA-WEST HELENA, Ark. — On Tuesday, December 2, 2025, following an ongoing investigation, Arkansas State Police (ASP) obtained an arrest warrant for former Helena-West Helena Mayor Christopher Franklin Sr., 44, on new felony charges for failure to file income taxes.

Franklin was informed of the arrest warrant and surrendered to the Phillips County Sheriff’s Office on Friday, December 5. He was booked on felony Attempt to Evade and Defeat Tax charges.

These charges follow Franklin’s June 24, 2025, arrest by the ASP Special Investigations Unit (SIU), when he was charged with four felony counts for Failing to Pay or File a State Tax Return.

The investigation began in June of 2024 at the request of First Judicial District Prosecutor Todd Murray, after concerns were raised about Franklin’s tax filings. SIU investigators determined that Franklin had not filed state tax returns for four of the past five years.

Franklin was processed and released on his own recognizance and given a court date of January 5, 2026.

ASP’s SIU also charged a second individual, Josiah Walker, 29, with felony Attempt to Evade or Defeat Tax. On Wednesday, December 10, 2025, Walker surrendered to the Phillips County Sheriff’s Office to have his warrant served.

He was processed and released on his own recognizance and also given a court date of January 5, 2026.