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Traffic court workers accused of dismissing tickets admits to bribery charge

Vic Ryckaert
vic.ryckaert@indystar.com
Former traffic court bailiffs Evelyn Hughes (left) and Carnetta Arthur.

April 23, 2018 update: Evelyn A. Hughes pleaded guilty in a plea agreement to one felony count of bribery and was sentenced March 2 to two years in prison with all but about three months suspended, online court records say. She also received probation. The remaining charges were dismissed.

Earlier story: Two former Marion County traffic court bailiffs are on the other side of the courtroom after prosecutors say they forged records to dismiss fines and reinstate suspended driver's licenses.

Evelyn A. Hughes, 51, faces 49 felony charges including bribery, forgery and official misconduct, according to court records and a news release from the Marion County prosecutor's office.

Carnetta Arthur, 42, faces 14 felonies, including forgery and official misconduct, prosecutors said.

Hughes and Arthur forged a judge's signature, sent phony documents to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, dismissed fines and cleared license suspension orders, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors said Hughes accepted at least $600 to fix tickets and reinstate the suspended license of a relative. While Arthur allegedly dismissed cases and forged records, prosecutors did not accuse her of taking bribes.

Hughes and Arthur were arrested Wednesday. The Marion Superior Court has asked the Indiana Supreme Court to assign a special judge to oversee the case against the former court employees.

In an unrelated case, former bailiff Crystal Jones was arrested Dec. 29 after prosecutors said she accessed law enforcement databases for personal use.

Jones, 41, faces seven felony counts of official misconduct and two misdemeanors of computer trespass. A special judge is hearing Jones' case.

Call IndyStar reporter Vic Ryckaert at (317) 444-2701. Follow him on Twitter: @vicryc.