SHERIFF MIKE KNOEDL - WEEKLY UPDATE 10/17/2025

Good morning,

I hope everyone has enjoyed a great week!

I'm going to start out with an incident that occurred on Thursday night. Deputies were called to a residence in reference to a possible sexual assault. The caller advised that she had met a subject online and invited the suspect to her home. This case is still under investigation. I bring this up to once again highlight the dangers of using the internet for this purpose. This is like playing Russian roulette with your safety. Captain Keith Axson and Major Mike Foster responded and detained the suspect until further information could be obtained. The suspect detained was found to have several active warrants for his arrest. PLEASE talk to your children and loved ones about the dangers and pitfalls of doing something like this. For the record, this did not involve a minor this time, but it doesn't make it any better. Use your common sense when meeting anyone for any purpose off the internet.

The following incident occurred on Wednesday after we received information on a subject featured on our Warrant Wednesday. We received information that the suspect, Shawn Word, was in the Sparkman area. Deputy Dusty Walton met the suspect vehicle on Highway 128 and turned around to initiate a traffic stop. At this time, the suspect sped up and turned into a private residence, exited the vehicle, and fled on foot into the woods. Arkansas Game and Fish K-9 units were called to the scene and began to track the suspect. After searching for the suspect briefly, I called off the search due to very dry conditions. We started looking for the suspect early the next morning, and I'm happy to report was taken into custody in Bearden at a private residence. He is being held without bond on Failure to Appear Warrants issued by the circuit Judge. The moral to this story is that if you run, we will find you!

Distracted Driving Mobilization will run from October 19-25. Expect a higher-than-normal law enforcement presence during that time. Please stay off your mobile devices and pay attention to the roadways.

The first gun deer season begins this weekend. I want to remind everyone to stay safe if you're going to be out in the woods.

Felony Friday:

Rye, Jonathon of Cove; DWI

Garner, Jackie of Sparkman; Theft

Howard, Freddy of Sparkman; Possession of Firearm by Certain Person; Possession of Meth/Cocaine with Purpose to Deliver; Maintaining a Drug Premises; Possession of Drug Paraphernalia; Possession of Schedule IV or V; Simultaneous Possession of Drugs and Firearms

Word, Shawn of Bearden; Bond Revocation; Felony Failure to Appear, Fleeing

Whittamore, Stephanie of Alexander; FPD Probation/Parole Violation

Marshall, Christyn of New Edinburg; Criminal Contempt

Thompson, Jonathan Kyle of Bearden; Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Toney, Brentley of Carthage; Revocation

Ross, Terrell of Fordyce; FPD Public Intoxication, Criminal Trespass

God Bless

Sheriff Mike Knoedl