The seizure of property following a divorce settlement in Fulton County has led to the arrest of a Mammoth Spring man after he allegedly threatened to cause physical harm to a circuit judge.
According to the probable cause affidavit, 60-year-old Richard Raines was first jailed in early June on a contempt of court charge by Circuit Judge Don McSpadden. The charge followed Raines’ court appearance regarding his divorce and property settlement.
Raines reportedly became upset with the judge’s ruling to the point he lashed out at McSpadden with profanity in open court.
McSpadden ordered Raines to jail for six months.
Last Tuesday, Fulton County Sheriff Al Roork and two deputies went to Raines’ residence, located along Redwood Lane in Mammoth Spring, to serve a court order. The order directed the sheriff to seize all cattle, a car and a dump truck.
When Sheriff Roork returned to the Fulton County jail, he opened the cell door to release Raines. As he did so, he told Raines he had gone to his home, seized 17 head of cattle and his car. The dump truck was not at the residence.
Raines reportedly became angry at the sheriff, then directed his outburst towards the circuit judge. He told Roork he planned to make a sign and told him the profane message he would place on it, with intentions to walk around the courthouse on court days.
Sheriff Roork told Raines he was not going to allow him to do that. Raines again allegedly responded with profanity and added he would go to McSpadden’s home and take care of him himself.
Roork then returned Raines to his cell for the threat.
Raines has been charged with a felony count of terroristic threatening of a judicial officer. His bond was set at $50,000, and he is to have no contact with his ex-wife or Judge McSpadden.
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