Arkansas
Arkansas police officer fired after video shows him beating handcuffed man in patrol car
An Arkansas police officer has been fired after video shows him allegedly beating a man handcuffed in the back of a patrol car.
In a statement posted to social media Aug. 9, the Jonesboro Police Department said it had received a complaint of an incident involving the officer of a “serious nature” from the previous evening.
“Following an internal review of the incident, it was determined that the officer involved, Joseph Harris, should be terminated effective immediately,” Jonesboro police said in the statement.
Jonesboro is located in northeast Arkansas, and is about 70 miles from Memphis, Tennessee.
Jonesboro police posted video of the incident online, which shows Harris allegedly beating a man who was handcuffed and sitting detained in the back of his patrol car wearing what looks like a hospital gown.
Jonesboro Police Chief Rick Elliott told local station KAIT he had been communicating with the FBI, and that the Little Rock office had opened a case regarding the incident.
USA TODAY has reached out to Jonesboro police for more information.
Ta’Kiya Young shooting: Ohio officer indicted in 2023 shooting death of pregnant woman near Columbus
Video shows handcuffed man physically assaulted by police officer
In the video posted by the Jonesboro Police Department, the man can be heard telling officers he had swallowed a bag of fentanyl the day before, and thinks he will die unless he’s taken back to a hospital.
At one point, the video shows the man unbuckling his seatbelt and laying down in the back seat, before an officer opens the door and begins punching and elbowing the man’s head repeatedly.
Another officer, who police have not identified, checks on the man and asks if he is alright, but the man is unresponsive after the assault. The officer then closes the car door by his feet.
The first officer returns and seemingly rubs him roughly in the chest with a tool, which causes the man to twist and groan, and then closes the door on his head.
The car then begins to drive as the man, still laying down, continues to yell and groan in the back seat.
Harris previously cited for use of force
This is not the first time Harris has faced consequences for using force.
About two years ago, CNN reported that he received a 20-hour suspension without pay and further training from the police department for excessive force, Sally Smith, a public information officer with the Jonesboro Police Department, said.
He was additionally named in a wrongful death lawsuit filed in June, Smith told CNN.
Arkansas
Arvest Bank warns customers about video call banking scams in Arkansas
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – A new scam is popping up on screens, and banks say it’s catching people off guard.
Arvest Bank is warning customers about an increase in fraud involving unsolicited video calls that appear to be from financial institutions. The calls often begin with a text, email or phone call urging immediate action.
A spokesperson reported that scammers may claim there is suspicious activity or a technical problem, then push victims to join a video call through FaceTime or another platform, and once connected, they try to get customers to share their screen while logging in to accounts, entering passwords, or moving money.
“Scammers are always finding new ways to steal money, and that now includes video calls,” said Erin Gray, Arvest’s director of Integrated Account Protection.
Arvest urges customers to be cautious of urgent, unexpected requests, especially those asking to watch account activity in real time. The bank advises hanging up and calling back using a verified number, avoiding screen-sharing with strangers and checking accounts regularly for unusual activity.
Anyone who believes they’ve been targeted is encouraged to contact their bank and report the incident to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.FTC.gov.
Arkansas
Arkansas Department of Agriculture proposes rule changes on feral hogs, catfish processors | Arkansas Democrat Gazette
Cristina LaRue
Cristina LaRue covers agriculture for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. She started her career as a journalist in 2017, covering business and education for the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, later covering the crime and courts beats near the U.S.-Mexico border for the USA Today network, and education for the El Paso Times. She is a graduate of Texas State University.
Arkansas
Santa’s Holiday Gift Drive delivers toys for children in central Arkansas
Enter your email and we’ll send a secure one-click link to sign in.
KLRT is provided by Nexstar Media Group, Inc., and uses the My Nexstar sign-in, which works across our media network.
Learn more at nexstar.tv/privacy-policy.
KLRT is provided by Nexstar Media Group, Inc., and uses the My Nexstar sign-in, which works across our media network.
Nexstar Media Group, Inc. is a leading, diversified media company that produces and distributes engaging local and national news, sports, and entertainment content across its television and digital platforms. The My Nexstar sign-in works across the Nexstar network—including The CW, NewsNation, The Hill, and more. Learn more at nexstar.tv/privacy-policy.
-
Iowa4 days agoAddy Brown motivated to step up in Audi Crooks’ absence vs. UNI
-
Washington1 week agoLIVE UPDATES: Mudslide, road closures across Western Washington
-
Iowa5 days agoHow much snow did Iowa get? See Iowa’s latest snowfall totals
-
Maine2 days agoElementary-aged student killed in school bus crash in southern Maine
-
Maryland4 days agoFrigid temperatures to start the week in Maryland
-
Technology1 week agoThe Game Awards are losing their luster
-
South Dakota4 days agoNature: Snow in South Dakota
-
Nebraska1 week agoNebraska lands commitment from DL Jayden Travers adding to early Top 5 recruiting class