Local Prosecutor Named in Civil Lawsuit

9 West Judicial District prosecutor, Jana Bradford has been named as a defendant in a civil lawsuit in connection with her uncle Barry Walker who is a convicted child sex offender. Bradford is being sued in her individual capacity and not as the prosecuting attorney.

58-year-old Walker was convicted of raping more than 30 prepubescent girls over the span of two decades. During that time, Bradford served as a deputy prosecutor and was a mandated reporter of child maltreatment.

According to the lawsuit, Bradford had knowledge of Walker’s behavior and never ‘took any steps to protect other prepubescent females’ from Walker.

However, the suit claims Bradford took many steps to protect her uncle. According to the lawsuit, Bradford attempted to have Walker removed from the sex offender’s registry in 2018 and she attempted to have him pardoned in 2004.

According to the lawsuit, Bradford and other relatives ‘worked collectively to develop a strategy to protect Walker with respect to the investigations because they knew a negative finding could harm the familv’s reputation and political interests.’

Currently, six individuals and two Walker-owned businesses have been named as defendants. The total number of defendants is 11. The complaint is 164-pages in length and includes numerous transcribed discussions between Walker and his brother, who is among the defendants.

The plaintiffs are being represented by the Texarkana-based Mercy Carter Law Firm.