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.
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“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.
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“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.
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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.
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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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This summer is shaping up to be one of the biggest boating celebrations of the decade. This year, tens of thousands of anglers, water skiers, kayakers and pleasure boaters will converge on Arkansas waters to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Second Continental Congress’s formal adoption of the Declaration of Independence.
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is asking everyone to boat responsibly and avoid situations that could ruin the celebration — namely, boating under the influence of alcohol or narcotics.
Sgt. Sydney Grant, Game and Fish boating law administrator, said Arkansas game wardens will be on the water to increase safety and reduce boating accidents that result from boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Boating while intoxicated can be even more dangerous than driving a car while intoxicated, as most boaters have less experience operating a boat. Boats also don’t have brakes and are slower to maneuver than cars. These slower reaction times to a sudden danger can be the difference between life and death.
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Grant adds that the effects of alcohol are magnified by the conditions that boating creates.
“Sun, heat, wind and wave action all intensify alcohol’s impact,” Grant said. “A person who normally wouldn’t feel much effect of one or two beers in an air-conditioned home may find themselves impaired by the same amount of alcohol on the water.”
Even passengers should pay attention to their consumption levels.
“Drinking too much can lead to a dangerous situation or poor decisions for anyone,” Grant said. “We’ve also caught many people who enjoyed a day on the water, but then got in a car for the ride home, still under the effect of alcohol. Practicing a little restraint during your boating day helps us make both the roadways and waterways of the state safer during this big family summer.
“If we didn’t have to give a single ticket this summer for intoxicated boating, I think every game warden in Arkansas would celebrate,” Grant said. “Our job is to make sure people can enjoy the water safely and come home with great stories from their trips. We’re not here to ruin the fun. We simply ask everyone to be responsible, avoid overindulging, and always make sure you have a sober boat operator and designated driver.”
The Arkansas Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at Sunday, July 12, 2026 results for each game:
Winning Cash 3 numbers from July 12 drawing
Evening: 7-0-6
Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
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Winning Cash 4 numbers from July 12 drawing
Evening: 5-3-0-9
Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Natural State Jackpot numbers from July 12 drawing
07-12-15-26-35
Check Natural State Jackpot payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from July 12 drawing
12-21-39-46-48, Bonus: 02
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Check Millionaire for Life 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.
Millionaire for Life: 10:15 p.m. CT daily.
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.
