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Convicted former Arkansas state senator reports to prison

Former Arkansas state Sen. Jon Woods has reported to a federal prison in Texas to begin a more than 18-year prison sentence for his role in a bribery scheme

Convicted former Arkansas state senator reports to prison Image Source : APConvicted former Arkansas state senator reports to prison

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Former Arkansas state Sen. Jon Woods has reported to a federal prison in Texas to begin a more than 18-year prison sentence for bribery .

The Federal Bureau of Prisons website shows Woods is being held at a low-security facility in Fort Worth.

The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports that Woods arrived at the prison at 1 p.m. Wednesday, the deadline for him to report.

On Monday, a federal judge rejected Woods' motion to remain free pending an appeal of his May conviction on 15 counts of conspiracy, fraud and money laundering . Prosecutors say Woods and former state Rep. Micah Neal, both Republicans, directed approximately $600,000 in state funds to two nonprofits in exchange for kickbacks.

Neal pleaded guilty as part of a plea agreement and was sentenced to probation .

Disclaimer: This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Associated Press (AP) wire.