Searcy County man arrested for threatening to kill ex-wife, burn down her house, attacking deputy

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A Searcy County man has been arrested for threatening to kill his ex-wife and burn down her house, attacking a deputy and threatening to kill employees at the Searcy County Jail. Facing five charges, three of them felonies, is 64-year-old Leo Christopher Treat of Marshall.

According to the probable cause affidavit from the Searcy County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called to the victim’s house early Monday morning. When they arrived, the victim had fled to a relative’s house, but Treat was still there and was detained.

Investigators drove to meet the victim who said Treat had threatened to kill her and burn her house down. He also refused to let her leave when she tried. She had marks and dried blood on her face she said came from Treat striking her.

When a deputy took Treat to the jail, Treat attacked him and kicked him multiple times, forcing him to seek medical treatment. Treat then threatened to kill detention staff employees while he was being booked into the jail.

Treat is facing two counts of first degree terroristic threatening and one count of attempted arson, all felonies, along with misdemeanor counts of false imprisonment and third degree domestic battery. He is being held in the Searcy County Jail without bond for a bond revocation from a prior case.

PREVIOUS ARRESTS

Treat has four previous felony arrests in Arkansas, all in Searcy County, dating back to 2013.

His charges have included possession of methamphetamine with purpose of delivery, possession of drug paraphernalia, terroristic threatening, fleeing, violation of protection order, fleeing on foot, resisting arrest, public intoxication, third degree battery, driving on a suspended license and having fictitious tags.

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