A Paragould man has been charged with theft after an affidavit claims he made unauthorized transactions exceeding $100,000 during his time as the volunteer state treasurer for the Arkansas State Committee of Ducks Unlimited.
On Wednesday, District Court Judge Curtis Hitt determined there was probable cause to bring charges against Derek Exum. He faces one count of theft of property valued at $25,000 or more, a Class B felony.
According to court records, Exum served as the volunteer state treasurer until the organization’s state council removed him on September 16. Investigators allege Exum conducted numerous unauthorized transactions between April 2023 and September 2026.
Paragould Police Department Lt. Jack Hailey stated in the affidavit that Exum was the sole signer on all the transactions being scrutinized. Exum also reportedly maintained sole control of the two accounts involved, receiving all statements at his home address, which doubles as his business address.
The affidavit indicated that the funds, which belonged to Ducks Unlimited, were subject to strict rules barring their use for anyone's personal benefit. "No authorization, invoices, or committee approval exists for the ‘unauthorized’ transactions made by the potential defendant," Hailey noted. He clarified that having signature authority on the accounts did not permit Exum to withdraw funds for personal use.
Exum was arrested Wednesday and taken to the Greene County Detention Center. Online records show he has since been released on a $100,000 cash or surety bond and is awaiting his next court appearance.