A Mountain Home man was back in Baxter County Circuit Court Monday to face charges in his open cases and the revocation of his probation in another case.
Thirty-eight-year-old Jeffery Racaniello, Jr., pled guilty and was sentenced to four years in prison.
His charges over the years have included public intoxication, fleeing on foot, refusal to submit to arrest, a number of drug-related charges, bringing drugs into the Baxter County Detention Center, resisting arrest, tampering with physical evidence, battery, aggravated assault and criminal mischief.
Racaniello currently has three open felony cases and one case where a petition has been filed to revoke his probation because of alleged violations of the terms and conditions of his probation, including having newer charges filed against him.
A psychological evaluation on Racaniello was done in February. The reports on the evaluations are not made part of the public record in the 14th Judicial District, but if a case continues, it can be assumed the person was found fit to continue.
The revocation was filed in a case where Racaniello was arrested in late February 2023 when officers responded to the mid-town location of Harp’s Grocery.
Racaniello was reported to be under the influence of a drug. He was said to be “fidgety” and grinding his teeth constantly.
He was unable to successfully complete tests intended to verify that a suspect was or was not under the influence.
According to the probable cause affidavit, the “walk and turn test” had to be stopped when Racaniello kept walking in front of vehicles on the parking lot of the grocery store.
When the officer told Racaniello that he was under arrest because the officer believed based on the tests and other evidence that he was under the influence, he began to resist.
Another MHPD officer and an off-duty Arkansas State University/Mountain Home officer took Racaniello to the ground and placed him in handcuffs.
While he was on the ground one officer saw a needle in a box that Racaniello had in a pocket. Another needle that was capped and contained a white crystalline substance and one that had been used were also located.
After he arrived at the jail, a plastic bag was found containing a white crystalline residue.
In that case, Racaniello was charged with possession of methamphetamine, paraphernalia used to take the drug, resisting arrest and public intoxication.
In July last year, Racaniello pled guilty to his charges.
A revocation petition was filed in July alleging various violations of the terms and conditions of his probation, including picking up other drug-related charges.
Racaniello also has several open cases.
On September 24, 2023, Baxter County sheriff’s deputies responded to the Brass Door Motel in Gassville to assist a Gassville police officer with a “fleeing subject.”
Racaniello was reported to be holding a large rock “in a threatening manner.” He had been ordered to stop at the motel but turned and ran across U.S. Highway 62.
One of the deputies attempted to “de-escalate the situation,” but Racaniello was reported to have turned toward the deputy and thrown the rock he had been wielding during the incident.
The rock struck the deputy in the left leg causing a small laceration.
Even after deputies apprehended Racaniello, he continued to struggle while attempting to prevent the deputies from handcuffing him.
Racaniello was charged with second degree battery of a police officer, aggravated assault and resisting arrest.
ADDITIONAL ARRESTS
In early April last year, police at ASUMH reported Racaniello was on campus causing a disturbance.
A Mountain Home police officer went to the scene to assist and to handle an active arrest warrant on Racaniello.
Racaniello was also found to have a small plastic bag containing a white powdery, crystal- like substance and more of the same type of substance in an eye glass case. The substance was tested at the police department and was positive for methamphetamine.
In May last year, Racaniello was brought to the Baxter County Detention Center. While he was sitting on a bench in the booking area, Racaniello was observed putting something into the back of his pants.
When confronted, Racaniello was reported to have become “very defensive.” He was taken to a bathroom and a cellophane wrapper similar to those used on cigarette packages was located.
A substance testing positive for methamphetamine was inside the wrapper which had been thermally sealed.
He was charged with bringing drugs into the jail and possessing methamphetamine.
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