Prosecuting Attorney Frank Spain announced today that Johntavious Owens has been sentenced to a total of 720 months (60 years) in the Arkansas Department of Corrections following his conviction for the fatal shooting of Kevin Morgan in McGehee.

The case stems from an incident that occurred on Saturday, December 14, 2024, at approximately 12:53 a.m., when McGehee Police Department officers were dispatched to 806 North 3rd Street in response to reports of gunfire. While en route, officers were advised that an individual had been shot.

Upon arrival, officers observed multiple individuals gathered around a white Chevrolet Avalanche parked in the driveway. Inside the vehicle, officers found the victim, later identified as Kevin Morgan, suffering from a gunshot wound to the back of his head. The vehicle displayed multiple bullet holes consistent with gunfire directed into the rear of the vehicle. Morgan was pronounced deceased at the scene by emergency medical personnel.

Investigators recovered 20 spent shell casings from the scene. A report from the Arkansas State Crime Lab indicated that all shell casings were fired from the same gun and the Medical Examiner’s report indicated that Kevin Morgan was killed by a single gunshot wound to the back of his head.

Video surveillance obtained from a nearby showed Owens and a witness walking towards the residence. The surveillance video also recorded the sounds of shots being fired and screams, and then showed the Defendant running from the scene.

An arrest warrant for Owens was issued on December 14, 2024, Owens was subsequently apprehended on February 19, 2025, in Oklahoma City by the United States Marshals Service following a brief foot pursuit. He waived extradition and was returned to McGehee on March 7, 2025.

Owens made his first court appearance on March 10, 2025, where Judge Crew Puryear set a $750,000 secured bond.

On May 26, 2026, Owens entered a guilty plea to Second Degree Murder and Terroristic Act and requested that a jury determine his sentence.

On June 9, 2026, a sentencing hearing was held before Circuit Judge Robert Gibson. Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Kelley Fortenberry questioned the witnesses who were present in the vehicle at the time of Mr. Morgan’s murder, as well as members of Kevin Morgan’s family, regarding the impact of his death. 

Owens took the stand and testified during the sentencing hearing. After being questioned by Prosecuting Attorney Spain, he admitted that although not trying to kill Kevin Morgan, he was trying to kill another individual in the vehicle. At the conclusion of the presentation of evidence, the defendant’s attorney, Eugene Clifford, requested that the jury sentence Owens to 15 years on the murder charge and a minimum sentence on the firearm enhancements.

After deliberation, the jury returned a sentence of 30 years in Arkansas Department of Correction and a $15,000 fine on the count of Murder in the Second Degree, and a consecutive 15-year enhancement for use of a firearm in the commission of the offense, and 20 years in prison and a $15,000 for the count of Terroristic Act, with an additional 15-year enhancement for use of a firearm in the commission of the offense.

Judge Gibson entered a Sentencing Order, a total sentence of 720 months (60 years) in the Arkansas Department of Corrections.

“This sentence holds the defendant accountable for a senseless and violent act that took the life of Kevin Morgan and forever impacted his family and community, The jury’s verdict sends a clear message that gun violence will not be tolerated in Desha County.” said Prosecuting Attorney Spain. “We remain committed to seeking justice for victims and ensuring those responsible for violent crimes are held accountable.”

The Tenth Judicial District Prosecutor’s Office thanks the jury for their efforts and acknowledges the work of the McGehee Police Department and the Arkansas State Police in bringing this defendant to justice.

This entry was posted on Monday, June 15th, 2026 at 12:41 am and is filed under Police /Legal. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.