Jonesboro, AR – JonesboroRightNow.com – A Florida man is facing a felony theft charge after police said he pocketed $60,000 meant for a Jonesboro road project and vanished without starting the work.
On April 10, a victim filed a report with the Jonesboro Police Department about a theft that occurred in spring 2025 when they contacted 33-year-old William Cody Bobbitt, of Mary Esther, FL, to extend a road at the end of Ginger Drive.
| ADD US ON GOOGLE NEWS: Click here to see more local news from Jonesboro Right Now
According to the probable cause affidavit, an independent engineering firm estimated the project would cost $55,000, but Bobbitt issued an invoice for $60,000 to cover parts and labor. Following guidance from the City of Jonesboro, the victim was informed that Bobbitt was required to open a municipal account and deposit the estimated project costs into a refundable escrow to receive work approval.
On June 9, 2025, the victim issued Bobbitt a cashier’s check for $60,000, with the understanding that the funds would be deposited with the city. However, the roadwork never started.
The victim followed up with the city on April 7 and found that Bobbitt had never deposited funds and had stopped communicating with the victim. The affidavit added that Bobbitt refused to respond to inquiries from the city’s engineering officer regarding the project’s status and the missing funds.
Bobbitt was arrested at 8 a.m., April 24, according to the Craighead County Sheriff’s Office’s jail roster. He appeared hours later in front of Judge Barbara Halsey. She found probable cause to charge Bobbit with theft of $25,000 or more, all others, a class B felony.
Bobbitt is being held on a $25,000 cash/surety bond, awaiting his next court appearance on June 26. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison and fines of up to $15,000.
| DAILY BRIEF: Sign up for the Jonesboro Right Now Daily Brief Newsletter