Good afternoon,
Another very busy week here at the Sheriff's Office.
We continue to work closely with the Arkansas State Police on several investigations involving cold cases. Fordyce Police Department is assisting us with a couple of these old cases as time allows. I want to encourage anyone that may have any information involving any cold case to please contact us here at the Sheriff's Office directly. (870) 352-2002. All information will remain anonymous.
All law enforcement personnel completed a class this week on legislative updates that were instructed by Bob McMahan, Prosecutor Coordinator for the state of Arkansas. There are many changes that came of this last legislative session concerning the criminal code and penalties. For example, it is now a felony to flee from any law enforcement officer once you exceed the posted speed limit without stopping. Many penalties have been enhanced for some of the more serious crimes. These enhancements will require inmates to serve longer sentences than previous convictions in the past.
Deputies spent multiple hours in circuit court this week. Most people are not aware it is our responsibility to provide security for each court date. It takes a lot of planning to ensure inmates are transported safely to and from each court date. We can tie up multiple personnel during a circuit court date, especially if a deputy is scheduled to testify during a trial.
We are in the process of doing a lot of maintenance here at the detention facility which is way overdue. Inmate labor is being utilized to scrape and paint all pods and replace some worn door locks in cells. I want to recognize all jail staff for overseeing these much-needed repairs. This is not as easy as it may sound due to inmates having to be moved to other locations in order to complete the repairs.
Mr. Rucker and his crew have had a busy week as well. They began their week by cleaning the football field and hauling off the trash. This will be done by our crew each Saturday following home football games. He and his crew mowed/trimmed around the courthouse and completed trash pickup on Highway 8 South. They prepared to assist the county judge in pouring concrete at the hog barn at the county fairgrounds to prepare for the upcoming fair. They will go back to the football field today and make sure everything is ready to go for the next home football game. If you see Mr. Rucker out and about, please thank him for his service to our county.
We are asking for prayers for my administrative assistant Penny Mcclain's husband who has been in the hospital. I am happy to report he is doing better and should be able to come home soon!
Moving on to Felony Friday!
* Kentrell Simmons - Fail to pay, fail to appear (FPD)
* Tiffany Humphrey - Fail to appear
* Ira Herring - Parole violation
* Justin Morgan - Possession of a firearm by certain persons
* Jason Lochridge - Driving on suspended DL
* Ernest Munson - Parole violation
* Constance Craig - Failure to appear
* Brian Ray - Internet stalking, parole violation
* Latoucha Allen - Parole violation
* Ruffell Johnson - Domestic battery III, Possession of drug paraphernalia
We are wishing everyone a great, safe weekend!
God Bless,
Sheriff Mike Knoedl
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