Monticello Live

Thomas Allen Adams, age 31, Tuesday, accepted a ”no contest” plea for the January 25 rape of a Wilmar area child.

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On Thursday, August 26, 2010 agents of the Tenth Drug Task Force were attempting to stop a vehicle driven by James Daniels, age 39, formerly of Warren, currently residing in Little Rock, Arkansas.  A search warrant had been obtained for the vehicle prior to the stop as information had been received that the vehicle was transporting narcotics to South Arkansas.

The stop occurred on County Road 133 near the intersection of 133 and Highway 35.

As Agents made the initial stop on the vehicle, a second Task Force vehicle pulled in front of the vehicle driven by Daniels and occupied by three other suspects. As Agents exited from the blocking vehicle, Daniels accelerated his vehicle as it swerved towards and rammed the blocking vehicle, striking a DTF agent. The agent fired on Daniels’ vehicle, striking the front and rear passenger side tires. (more…)

A Drew County jury took approximately 3 hours to determine the sentence for Jennifer Irene Bates, Wednesday afternoon, after one juror who didn’t want to send Bates to prison was replaced.  The dismissed juror told MonticelloLive, “That’s not the same lady that was drinking and driving that day,” referring to Bates’ current mental state.

The jury then sentenced her to serve 10 years on the negligent homicide case, and another 6 for the aggravated assault charge.

The charges are to run consecutively, for a total of 16 years, but Bates could be eligible for parole in less than 3 years.

A representative of the Arkansas Dept. of Correction had testified that they could provide care for disabled inmates, as needed.

For full background on the case, all related articles are included below. (more…)

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Peter Harvey is shown leaving the Drew County Courthouse, Tuesday, after being deined bond for the Crossett Capitol Murder of Donna Woodberry, and the armed robbery of a First National Bank branch..

Peter Harvey waived extradition on Friday, and was transported to Arkansas on Monday.

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A Monticello couple plead guilty and was sentenced Monday for manufacturing methamphetamine twice in two months. (more…)

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According to Lt. Jason Akers, Drug Task Force Agents seized a indoor marijuana grow and two methamphetamine laboratories recently in three unrelated arrests. (more…)

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One of the storefront glass panels of Jackson’s Builder Suppliy shattered last Sunday evening, around 7 pm.

When the photo was taken, a foreign object hadn’t been found, and the possible cause may have been heat.

Armonzo Watkins & Samantha Barnett at Bond Hearing

Brittany Garcia & Santonio Vaughn at 1st Appearance Hearing.

At 4:02, Saturday morning, a 911 call came into the Monticello Police Dept., reporting a robbery at one of the Park Hill apartments, on North Slemmons St.

Jeffery Thomas, after arrest.

Two of the victims were treated and released from Drew Memorial Hospital, later in the day, Saturday. (more…)

Kathy Wilson, age 47 of Monticello, was arrested Wednesday evening, around 6:45, on S. Gabbert St., near her residence.

Wilson was charged with DWI 4, which is a felony, and carries a bond of $15,000.

Wilson remains in the Drew County Detention Facility as of this morning.

Duane Gonder, age 25 of Monticello, plead guilty, Friday morning, to the charges of 1st degree murder of his brother, Marcus Gonder, aggravated assault, and attempted introduction of a prohibited item into a jail.

Gonder was sentenced to serve 46 years in the Arkansas Dept. of Correction.

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According to Drew County Sheriff Mark Gober, members of the Drew County Sheriff’s Department and the Drug Task Force executed a search warrant at a residence located at the Paradise Apartments on 425 South near the University of Arkansas-Monticello entrance on Thursday, July 15th. (more…)

According to reports from the scene, several Monticello Police and Drew County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the call of suspicious activity around the Monticello City Pool, around 4:30 Wednesday afternoon.

A concerned grandparent reported that someone driving by had caused concern for her grandchild’s safety.

A total of 9 or more law enforcement officers soon arrived.  The officers detained and interviewed the party in question, to their satisfaction, until further investigation can be continued.

24 county road signs that were taken, have been recovered by the county.

20 of the missing road signs were found near the intersection of Plantersville and Mt. Zion Roads.  The other 4 were located near Plantersville Road and the Lake Monticello Access area.

Theft and/or vandalism of the road signs in a criminal act, punishable by up to $1,000 per sign.

Another factor to consider, as pointed out by County Judge Damon Lampkin, is the safety issue; since these signs are used as markers for first responders to emergencies.

Anyone with information is asked to call the judge’s office at 367-6211, or the 911 co-ordinator at 723-6911.  Your name will be kept confidential.

Governor Mike Beebe has announced his intent to grant eight pardons. An additional 18 clemency requests were denied and 21 had no action taken upon them. These include requests from both inmates and non-inmates.

The eight applicants intended for pardons have completed all jail time, fulfilled all parole-and-probationary requirements and paid all fines related to their sentences. There is a 30-day waiting period to receive public feedback on the pardons before final action is taken.

Include in this group,Governor Beebe intends to grant a pardon to Shawn Wylie, Sr. (Monticello): Delivery of Marijuana

This notice is issued based on the date of conviction (1998 – Drew County), the fact that all terms of the applicant’s sentence have been completed and there have been no further criminal-law violations. There are no law-enforcement objections to the application.

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Around 4:30 Monday afternoon, a 38 year old male was arrested on Glenwood Drive, and charged with 1st degree criminal mischief, after driving his Nissan Altima into a residence. (more…)

Monticello Police Department’s bicycle patrol was out covering city streets, Saturday night.

The MPD bicycle patrol is used occasionally to patrol areas, where it is important to arrive without being noticed, kind of like a “slower version of stealth”.

A recent defendant in a local court told the Judge, “It isn’t fair.  We didn’t hear them coming.”

After receiving complaints about speeding vehicles on Allen Drive, Monticello Police have been patrolling the area.

By the end of the first day, traffic seems to have slowed down, with only an occasional exception.

Around 16 citations have been written.

On the first morning, one driver was written a ticket for driving 12 MPH aver the 30 MPH limit.  Apparently, this frustrated him, causing him to drive faster.  Another officer clocked the same fellow at 17 MPH over on the other end of Allen Drive, just a couple of minutes after his first ticket.

ARKANSAS COURT OF APPEALS
SHELTON WORMLEY VS.STATE OF ARKANSAS
APPEAL FROM THE DREW COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT (more…)

Rodney Scales, age 36 of Dermott, was found guilty by a Drew County jury Friday, on the charges of possession of cocaine with intent to deliver and fleeing (without concern for human life).

Scales was sentenced to 80 years on the cocaine charge, and 4 years on the fleeing charge.  The jury recommended the charges run consecutive, for a total of 84.  Scales will not be eligible for parole for approximately 21 years.

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Antwon Clifton, age 16 of Wilmar, died Tuesday, after being removed from life support at Children’s Hospital in Little Rock.

The youth was the victim of drowning at Lake Monticello on Monday, June 7.

The obituary will be posted when detail are announced.  (more…)

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During the Memorial Day Veteran’s Program at the Courthouse, the Veteran’s organizations recognized 3 local officers for their efforts, in serving the public.

A. C. Simpson was awarded the Sheriff’s Deputy of the Year Award.  Charlie Hammock was honored as the Firefighter of the Year, and MPD’s Steve Hood received the award for being named Police Officer of the Year.

Jim Lee is shown presenting plaques to the three honorees.

Children playing in a vehicle were reportedly the reason this GMC pick-up truck rolled down a sloping driveway, and into a mobile home, as well knocking over a gas meter.

Shortly after 9 o’clock, Sunday morning, a call came into the Monticello Police dispatch, reporting the accident.

MPD, as well as a Drew County Sheriff’s deputy, responded to the scene.  The Monticello Fire Dept. also was called, since there was also a risk of fire or explosion involved.

The residence was evacuated, the gas turned off, and Centerpoint Energy called to repaird the meter.

Around 11:30, Saturday night, an unidentified vehicle was reportedly traveling west on Robin Hood Drive, when the driver lost control, crossed a yard (narrowly missing a tree), and crashed into a brick home.

Substantial damage was done to the house, and a noticeable amount of damage seems to have been done to the car.

No one inside of the residence was injured, but a member of the family that lives there was in the room next to where the crash occurred.

If anyone has any information about the incident, or knows of a vehicle that sustained damage to the front of it, Saturday night, please contact the Monticello Police Dept. at 367-3411.

Friday afternoon, around 3 pm, a Warren man allegedly pulled a handgun and threatened another man on the parking lot of the Drew Memorial Hospital Emergency Room. (more…)

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