Arkansas
Arkansas mayor, murder victim’s sister reacts to Grant Hardin’s escape
Ex-Arkansas police chief imprisoned for murder escapes prison
Grant Hardin, a former Gateway, Arkansas, police chief serving time for murder and rape, escaped from the North Central Unit in Calico Rock on May 25.
unbranded – Newsworthy
The town where Arkansas prison escapee and convicted murderer Grant Hardin once served as police chief remains on edge, according to its mayor who is also the sister of Hardin’s victim.
“Anxiety is still high,” Cheryl Tillman, the mayor of Gateway, Arkansas, told USA TODAY in an interview May 28. “I think everybody’s still on alert, being vigilant, doing every precaution that they can.”
Hardin, 56, escaped from the North Central Unit in Calico Rock on May 25, wearing a “makeshift outfit designed to mimic law enforcement,” according to the Arkansas Department of Corrections.
Hardin had been serving time for the 2017 murder of James Appleton, Tillman’s brother, in Gateway and the 1997 rape of a school teacher in nearby Rogers. He was sentenced to 80 years on the combined convictions, according to court records.
Tillman described Hardin, who served as Gateway’s police chief while Tillman was on the city council in 2016, as “very arrogant” and “angry.”
“He’s an evil person,” Tillman said.
Hardin remains at large as of Wednesday night, with the FBI, Department of Corrections, Arkansas State Police and local police were working to find Hardin, officials said earlier in the day.
Sister remembers brother slain at hands of ‘Devil in the Ozarks’
Hardin pleaded guilty to in 2017 to murder in the first degree for shooting and killing Appleton in February of the same year, according to court records.
Appleton’s brother-in-law and Cheryl’s husband, Andrew Tillman, told Benton County Sheriff’s investigators that he was on the phone with Appleton when he was shot, according to a probable cause affidavit. Andrew was the Gateway’s mayor at the time of the shooting.
Cheryl described Appleton as a “very good brother” with a strong civic sense who obtained a license to work for the Gateway Rural Water Authority when asked by his brother-in-law.
“Everybody in this town knew James. They knew that they could call James if they needed help on anything,” Tillman said.
Tillman said that learning of Hardin’s escape brought back memories of the murder.
“Everything was happening all over again. From the time he shot my brother and the time we had to go to court with him,” Tillman said.
The 1997 rape was the focus of a 2023 documentary titled “Devil in the Ozarks,” for which Tillman was interviewed. She said that the interview was “tough to do.”
“We’ve since been in touch with the subjects of that film and law enforcement and are praying for Hardin’s immediate capture in the name of justice and the victims and their families’ peace of mind,” Ari Mark, one of the executive producers of the documentary, told USA TODAY in a statement May 28.
Tillman emphasized the need for residents of Gateway, a place she described as “a very quiet town” where “everybody knows everybody,” to remain vigilant while Hardin remained at-large.
“Lock their doors. If they need to, load their guns,” Tillman said. “Whatever they need to do, just stay vigilant and watch your backs.”
Contributing: N’dea Yancey-Bragg, Michael Loria, Jorge L. Ortiz, USA TODAY.
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The Arkansas Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025 results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from Dec. 16 drawing
20-24-46-59-65, Mega Ball: 07
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 3 numbers from Dec. 16 drawing
Midday: 9-7-4
Evening: 8-4-7
Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 4 numbers from Dec. 16 drawing
Midday: 4-9-2-0
Evening: 0-4-2-7
Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Dec. 16 drawing
03-04-19-24-39, Lucky Ball: 11
Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Natural State Jackpot numbers from Dec. 16 drawing
03-06-33-34-39
Check Natural State Jackpot payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
When are the Arkansas Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
- Cash 3 Midday: 12:59 p.m. CT daily except Sunday.
- Cash 3 Evening: 6:59 p.m. CT daily.
- Cash 4 Midday: 12:59 p.m. CT daily except Sunday.
- Cash 4 Evening: 6:59 p.m. CT daily.
- Lucky For Life: 9:30 p.m. CT daily.
- Natural State Jackpot: 8 p.m. CT daily except Sunday.
- LOTTO: 9 p.m. CT on Wednesday and Saturday.
Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.
Where can you buy lottery tickets?
Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.
You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.
Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: jackpocket.com/tos.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Arkansas editor. You can send feedback using this form.
LITTLE ROCK (KATV) — An Arkansas businesswoman who pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud is seeking a downward departure in her sentencing.
Chandler Wilson Carroll’s defense is arguing that while she acknowledges the offense is serious, other factors indicate that a lighter sentencing may be appropriate in this case.
Carroll’s offence level under the guidelines is 20, and her criminal history category is 1.
The defense cited a multitude of reasons, including her family history, mental illness history, lack of criminal history, and being a mother to small children.
The defense argued that under United States v. Chase, United States v. Lamoreaux, and United States v. Davis, she could qualify for a downward variance or departure.
The defendant underwent extensive mental health treatment after a suicide attempt in July 2025. Carroll was prescribed numerous medications and sought intensive treatment at a psychiatric facility in Little Rock.
She is currently anticipating entering into a trauma-centered treatment program, which will take a year to complete.
The defense also argues that the defendant’s need to care for her children is a proper factor to consider in determining this sentence.
Carroll is currently undergoing a divorce from her husband, who she claims was physically abusive to one of the children in August of 2025.
A separate investigation into that incident is ongoing.
The husband no longer lives at the house and Carroll does not want her husband to have custody of the children if she is incarcerated. However, her mother, is disabled and cannot assume care of the children. The defense argues that the children are at a age in particular need of their mother.
Lastly, the defense cited Carroll’s lack of criminal history, and that she is no danger to the public of committing further crimes. They also cite her need for long-term mental health treatment, of which the quality may not be as high in a prison system.
The defense asks for a probationary period, accompanied by a fine or community service in lieu of prison time.
According to federal court documents obtained in April 2024, Carroll was facing 4 counts of wire fraud and 4 counts of money laundering for abusing the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL). Carroll was an owner of 3 different businesses involved in the alleged fraud: WilCarr Ventures, Wilson Carroll Research Services (WCRS), and Brook Haven Lodge.
In total, Carroll was awarded a little over $2 million in small business loans.
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