CRITTENDEN COUNTY, Ark. (WMC) – A major crackdown on crime is underway in Eastern Arkansas. State Police and prosecutors are teaming up with local law enforcement to get the bad guys off the street and in jail.
A former criminal defense attorney elected as the top prosecutor for Clay, Craighead, Crittenden, Greene, Mississippi, and Poinsett Counties told Action News 5 that her constituents asked her to get tough with criminals. Despite limited resources and manpower, she and her team are making good on a campaign promise to protect the citizenry.
“I hope it sends the message: don’t come here because we’re ready to go,” said Sonia F. Hagood, Prosecuting Attorney for Arkansas’ Second Judicial District.
Hagood recently announced her office won four First Degree Murder convictions in one day.
“I want those people who want to commit crimes in my district,” said Hagood, “to know that if I prep that case for trial, you’re not getting a plea deal on the last day. It’s going to trial, and the community is going to decide what your punishment is.”
On Friday, January 12, a Mississippi County jury found three Blytheville residents guilty of killing Javion Sims in a gun battle where more than 75 rounds were fired in a residential area on a sunny afternoon in April of 2021.
Joel Williams was sentenced to 40 years in prison. Willavontae Westmorland and Tyree Johnson each received a sentence of 35 years.
In Crittenden County, a jury found Jotavion Ross guilty of killing 21-year-old Samuel Johnson in December 2022, shooting him three times in front of his West Memphis home. Ross received a sentence of 41 years in prison.
Hagood praised the detective work done by the West Memphis Police Department in cracking the case. WMPD Sgt. Matthew Jarrett said criminal convictions like Ross’ will help officers solve more cases in the future.
“That will make us work harder,” Sgt. Jarrett told Action News 5, “because we know prosecutors are doing something, and this also gets a message out to the community that something is happening to the bad guys, don’t be afraid to come forward. Don’t be a silent victim.”
West Memphis Mayor Marco McClendon, in a statement provided to Action News 5 said:
This week, Arkansas State Police saturated Crittenden County, along with West Memphis Police and Marion Police.
In eight hours, ASP said the East Arkansas Operation resulted in the arrests of 245 people, including 75 criminal arrests and 13 DWI arrests.
ASP said they also seized eight firearms and narcotics.
Up next for Attorney Hagood is getting Crittenden and Mississippi Counties designated high-drug trafficking areas to secure more federal funding.
“Memphis is, and all along the border of my district is,” she said, “designated high drug trafficking areas. With that comes a lot of gun violence, gang violence, and things like that, but for whatever reason we got left out. But in Crittenden and Mississippi Counties, there is a different kind of criminal. They’re very smart and they know the system.”
Hagood said police and prosecutors are also working with other agencies, leveraging community resources, to make sure kids stay in school, off the street, and away from a life of crime. She said they’re taking a multilevel approach to addressing what ails the community.
A critical piece of that is letting criminals know there are repercussions if they get caught.
“They’re going to pay the consequences for it,” said Sgt. Jarrett, “if you do the crime, you’re going to have to do the crime. With these convictions, and hopefully, many more to come, it will continue to send that message.”
Arkansas State Police has provided extensive information on the crime operation which can be found on their website.
The office of Prosecuting Attorney Hagood also released the following:
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The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Arkansas State University named Latika Johnson as the new director of its Multicultural Center, officials announced Thursday.
The Multicultural Center, housed in the Carl R. Reng Student Union, provides “social, cultural, educational and leadership opportunities with specific attention to the needs of underrepresented and marginalized students,” according to the university’s website.
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AL TOPICH SPECIAL TO THE DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE
(Special to the Democrat-Gazette/Al Topich)
Even though the film festival season in Arkansas is over until next year, there are still plenty of film-related events. Last week, there were two such events, one in Northwest Arkansas at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and the other taking place outdoors at a flower farm outside…
After three weeks standing on the verge of bowl eligibility, Arkansas football has its best opportunity to secure a spot in college football’s postseason this weekend against Louisiana Tech.
The Razorbacks (5-5) will host the Bulldogs (4-6) on Saturday (3 p.m., SECN+). Twenty players are projected to take part in Senior Day festivities as Arkansas closes out its home schedule in 2024.
The Hogs are coming off back-to-back losses inside Reynolds Razorback Stadium, most recently falling to Texas 20-10. Arkansas’ offense couldn’t muster enough production across the first two quarters as a comeback bid fell short against the Longhorns.
Louisiana Tech, meanwhile, is coming off its biggest win of the season. The Bulldogs beat conference rival Western Kentucky 12-7, knocking the Hilltoppers out of first place in Conference USA.
Here are four things to watch and a score prediction for Saturday’s contest between Arkansas and Louisiana Tech.
The best way to prevent an upset is to eliminate any hope. Arkansas didn’t do that against UAB in September, and the Razorbacks came out of the gates slow last year in this same spot against FIU. They eventually won both games, but the final scores were closer than desired.
“We’re trying to live up to the Arkansas standard, and that results in executing on the field. And if we don’t live up to that, then we’re going to see a similar slow start,” Arkansas offensive lineman Josh Braun said. “So that’s what we’re focused on this week, just starting fast and playing our brand of football.”
This is arguably the biggest key for Arkansas every weekend. The Razorbacks are 0-5 when they lose the turnover battle this season, and two costly giveaways spoiled any chance at an upset last week against Texas.
Fortunately for Arkansas, Louisiana Tech ranks 111th in the country in turnover margin. The Bulldogs are averaging nearly two turnovers a game, so this might be an opportune matchup for the Hogs’ defense.
The Bulldogs have struggled on the ground all season, and they’ve won both games in which they rushed for more than 150 yards. By contrast, they are 2-6 when held under that mark.
Arkansas’ running defense has been strong throughout the year. Only two opponents have averaged more than 4 yards per carry, and the Razorbacks should be able to keep Louisiana Tech running backs Omiri Wiggins and Amani Givens in check.
On the flip side, Arkansas needs to commit to running the football early and stay vigilant with Ja’Quinden Jackson. Relying on the pass too heavily proved a mistake in the first half against Texas, and look for Bobby Petrino to adjust.
Edwards, a senior wide receiver, is by far Louisiana Tech’s most dangerous weapon. He has four games this season with more than 100 yards receiving and leads the team with six touchdowns.
He’s a big-play threat who will require the full focus of the Arkansas defense. The Razorbacks’ secondary will try to maintain its momentum after holding Quinn Ewers and Isaiah Bond in check last week.
Louisiana Tech is better than its record indicates, but there is still a gulf in talent between the two rosters. If Arkansas handles its own business and avoids sloppy turnovers, it should have no problem securing bowl eligibility Saturday. An upset loss would be unacceptable. Arkansas 38, Louisiana Tech 13.
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