June 26, 2025

DE QUEEN, Ark. — Thomas Eugene Whitt, 66, of De Queen, has been sentenced to 150 years in the Arkansas Department of Corrections following his conviction on multiple felony charges, including three counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. The sentence was handed down by Circuit Judge Tom Cooper after a Sevier County jury returned a guilty verdict on Wednesday, June 25, 2025.

Special Agents with the Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division began investigating Whitt in 2023 after receiving information regarding allegations of sexual abuse. The investigation revealed that the crimes began in January 2017 and continued for more than six years, ending in December 2023. Based on the evidence collected, an arrest warrant was issued in January 2024.

Whitt was initially released on a $150,000 bond but was taken into custody immediately following the jury’s verdict. The sentences for each conviction, including 40 years for each of the three Rape convictions and 20 years for Sexual Assault, will be served consecutively, totaling 150 years in prison.

“These victims were subjected to years of unspeakable acts of abuse by Whitt,” said ASP Col. Mike Hagar. “We are grateful to the great work done by our CID Special Agents, the courage of those who came forward, and the Sevier County jurors who ensured this individual was held accountable.”