Photo: Brandon Junek
Photo: Edward Call
A two-day manhunt ended late Thursday afternoon with the capture of 34-year-old Brandon James Junek of Morrilton on McBride Lane, southeast of Mountain Home.
Baxter County Sheriff John Montgomery says Junek was captured by the Department of Community Correction’s special response team.
While the manhunt originating in Cotter was not successful in its first day in locating the parole absconder, it was productive, however, after officers stumbled across an alleged marijuana grow operation. Edward Everett Call was arrested and charged as a result. The 30-year-old Call was released from custody after posting a $2,900 bond.
Montgomery says the Baxter County Sheriffs Office, assisted by Cotter PD, Arkansas State Police and the Arkansas Department of Corrections K-9 dog team were involved in the manhunt.
Wednesday afternoon, Baxter County Sheriffs investigators made a traffic stop on East Cotter Road. Junek was a passenger in the vehicle and provided false identification. He then fled on foot into a wooded area.
The K-9 dog tracking team, assisted by the Baxter County Sheriffs Office helicopter, tracked the suspect to an area of 5th and McLean Streets. Based on that information, and witness accounts, authorities believe Junek was given a ride out of the area.
During the search, Call was arrested after remnants of an indoor marijuana grow operation were found in a detached garage at his residence located at 504 McLean Avenue.
Junek has been sentenced to prison seven different times since 2001. He was arrested again in October 2017 for possession of drug paraphernalia and for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
He was released from the Conway County Jail by the Parole Board on January 29th, after serving 102 days in the county jail. His past convictions include theft, arson, five counts of being a felon in possession of firearms, aggravated assault and possession of a controlled substance.
Call was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, manufacturing of a schedule six controlled substance, misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance, disorderly conduct and obstructing governmental operations.
Montgomery says he is scheduled to make an appearance in Baxter County Circuit Court on April 19th.
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