Two inmates, one from Baxter County, found dead in cells at 2 Arkansas prisons
(AP) Authorities are investigating after two inmates died in separate instances at Arkansas prisons. One inmate was from Baxter County. State prison officials say on Tuesday 29-year-old inmate Kenneth Jones, who was serving a 25-year sentence for sexual assault out of Baxter County, was found dead in his cell at the Cummins Unit in Grady.
Jones was convicted in 2011 for sexual assault in the first degree as a result of what Mountain Home Police described, at the time, as alleged inappropriate sexual contact with an 11-year-old girl.
30-year-old inmate Cody Brickner was found dead in his cell Saturday at the maximum-security Tucker Unit. Officials say Brickner was serving a four-year prison sentence for forgery out of Sebastian County.
Arkansas Department of Correction spokesman Solomon Graves says the deaths will be investigated internally and by Arkansas State Police agents.
Authorities have not yet released the cause of death for either inmate.
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Preliminary investigation released in BNR shooting
The preliminary investigation into the shooting death of a Branson man in a Buffalo National River campground near Yellville has revealed 34-year-old Jonathan Bolger was armed with a Umarex XCP air pistol. The handgun resembles a two-toned semi-automatic handgun and does not have an orange tip to identify it as an air pistol.
Buffalo National River officials say two National Park Service (NPS) law enforcement rangers were conducting a routine patrol of the Spring Creek Campground in the Lower District of Buffalo National River on August 20 when the incident occurred.
An investigation has preliminarily revealed that as the rangers entered the campground, they were immediately confronted by a white male, later identified as Bolger. The rangers identified themselves as law enforcement officers and illuminated Bolger with flashlights. Bolger was pointing an object directly at the rangers, which they believed was a semi-automatic handgun.
The rangers ordered Bolger to drop the handgun and he refused. He continued verbally challenging them and was then shot by one of the rangers. The rangers provided immediate lifesaving efforts to Bolger, but they were unable to revive him. He was pronounced dead by Regional Medical Center ambulance personnel when they arrived.
The investigation is being conducted by the NPS Officer Involved Shooting Investigation Team, a specially trained unit of special agents from around the country. The Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigative Division and Searcy County Sheriffs Department provided substantial investigative support at the scene of the incident and are actively assisting the NPS in the investigation.
Both involved rangers were placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation, as is the normal protocol of the NPS. Also in accordance with NPS procedures, once the investigation is complete, the case will be presented to the U.S. Attorneys Office and Searcy County Prosecutor for review.
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2nd high-speed pursuit of parolee in less than 30 days
For the second time in less than 30 days, area law enforcement officers have found themselves engaged in a high-speed pursuit of a parolee covering a large part of the county. The most recent pursuit Tuesday afternoon involved 36-year-old Christopher Croteau of Mountain Home.
Tuesday’s pursuit ended when Baxter County Sheriff’s Lieutenant Rick Lucy utilized his patrol unit in a PIT maneuver. The PIT maneuver, or Pursuit Intervention Technique, is a controlled maneuver utilizing a pursuing car to strike the rear of a fleeing car causing it to abruptly turn sideways and the driver to lose control and stop.
Baxter County Sheriff John Montgomery says officers from his department, Arkansas State Police, and the 14th Judicial Drug Task Force joined Mountain Home Police Department officers in the pursuit covering areas inside the city, as well as outside the city limits.
Sheriff Montgomery says the timing and location allowed him and department pilot Benny Magness to engage the county helicopter in the pursuit, providing a clear line of communication directing patrol units on the ground in pursuit of the fleeing vehicle.
Montgomery says when Croteau attempted to re-enter Mountain Home, Arkansas State Police Trooper Nathan Litty and Lieutenant Lucy were able to use their patrol units to force Croteau onto the Sheid-Hopper Bypass. The chase then continued east and out Robinson Point Road. It was in this area it was determined the pursuit had to end, and Lieutenant Lucy used his patrol unit in the controlled PIT maneuver, rear-ending the fleeing vehicle and bringing it to a stop. The suspect then fled on foot for a short distance before being captured.
Montgomery says Lucy was not injured, and his patrol unit sustained minor damage.
Croteau is being held in the Baxter County Detention Center. Information from the Sheriff’s Office website indicates he is being held on nonpayment of child support charges, with other charges pending. Bond has been set at $4,000.
Mountain Home Police Chief Carry Manuel says the chase was initiated when investigators working on an investigation of criminal activity tried to stop the vehicle driven by Croteau.
The Administrative Office of the Courts CourtConnect website indicates Croteau has a lengthy criminal history, beginning in 1999 when he was 18 years old.
A report on Tuesday’s incident has not been provided by the Mountain Home Police Department.
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Bull Shoals man charged after holding knife to mother’s neck
A Bull Shoals man, 32-year-old James McDaniel, has been arrested following an incident in which he allegedly placed his mother in a chokehold and with his knees to her back grabbed a knife, held it to her neck and repeatedly said he could slit her throat.
According to the probable cause affidavit of arrest, the incident occurred early Saturday morning when McDaniel returned to the home along Blue Bonnet in Bull Shoals that he shares with his mother.
McDaniel was reportedly visibly intoxicated and saying he was going to kill some people he had met at a local restaurant.
At this point, his mother fearing for her safety, attempted to call 911. McDaniel allegedly took the phone from her, put her in a chokehold taking her to the floor, bouncing her off furniture in the process. He then pinned her to the floor and held a knife to her neck.
McDaniel’s mother was successful in talking her son into putting the knife away, allowing her to break loose from his stranglehold and leave the residence. Returning to the residence later in the day and seeing her son at a glass door, she called 911.
When officers responded to the scene, McDaniel was taken into custody without incident, but with a hunting knife in his left back pocket. Photos were taken of his mother’s injuries.
McDaniel was charged with third degree domestic battery on a family member, aggravated assault on a family or household member and terroristic threatening, all felony offenses.
Bond was set at $25,000.
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Special election early voting continues through Monday
Early voting continues Monday at the Baxter County Courthouse for Tuesday’s special election. Voters are considering funding measures for two public safety measures.
Voters in Mountain Home are asked to consider levying a 3/8 percent sales and use tax that would benefit the city’s fire and police departments.
In addition, voters countywide are considering levying a one cent sales and use tax for eight months beginning March 1, 2018. Net proceeds from the tax would be used to expand the Baxter County Detention Center, as well as furnish and equip the new portion, and provide for the operation and maintenance of the jail. Voters will also be asked to consider levying a countywide one-quarter cent sales and use tax beginning November 1, 2018, following the expiration of the one cent sales and use tax. The one-quarter cent tax would be ongoing.
Those wanting to participate in early voting may do so during regular business hours from 8:00 until 4:30 at the courthouse.
Reese says a unique situation will present itself on Tuesday for those seeking to cast their ballots in the special election, with early voting beginning for the September 19 annual school election.
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Special election day polling locations on Tuesday will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Those who normally cast their votes at the Fairgrounds will need to do so at East Side Baptist Church.
A reminder that voting now requires presentation of a photo ID under the state’s new law that became effective August 1. Those who do not have a photo ID may cast a provisional ballot.
Reese says those with questions about their polling location may call her office at 870-425-3475.
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