An Izard County man has been arrested on five felony charges including kidnapping and domestic battery following an incident at his residence last Thursday night. Kidnapping is a class Y felony, the most serious crime in Arkansas not punishable by the death penalty. Being held in the Izard County Detention Center is 45-year-old Russell C. Westmoreland of rural Sidney.
According to the probable cause affidavit from the Izard County Sheriff’s Office, Izard County deputies and Arkansas Community Corrections officers responded to a residence after a friend of the victim had received several text messages saying Westmoreland had been beating her all night and she needed to go to the hospital. Eventually, the texts stopped, prompting the friend to call law enforcement.
When law enforcement arrived, Westmoreland answered the door and was taken into custody without incident.
The victim told investigators Westmoreland had physically placed her on her back on the floor with force causing injury and she hit her head on something. Investigators noted severe bruising on the victim’s back. EMS also noticed puncture wounds on the back of her head. Emergency room personnel told the victim her injuries were similar to having been in a car accident.
During a search Westmoreland’s house, law enforcement found drug paraphernalia with residue that field tested positive for methamphetamine that had been hidden along with a hand gun.
Westmoreland is facing felony charges of kidnapping; terroristic threatening; possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine); possession of firearms by certain persons, meaning he is a convicted felon; and possession of drug paraphernalia, along with a misdemeanor charge of third degree domestic battery. Westmoreland is being held without bond in the Izard County Detention Center.
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