UPDATE: AUG 5, 2026 4:30PM
ORIGINAL: AUG 4, 2026, 11AM
Newly released police and court documents reveal that a Shannon Hills police officer arrested Tuesday on domestic assault charges has a history of prior domestic incidents involving the same victim dating back to 2021. Joaquin Silvestre Alvarado, 37, was placed on administrative leave after his arrest early Tuesday morning, which has now brought past allegations to light. Read more below.
According to an arrest report from the Little Rock Police Department, Alvarado was taken into custody near his home at approximately 2:30 a.m. on August 4, 2026. Officers responded to a disturbance call where Alvarado was accused of assaulting two victims using a flashlight. Before officers arrived, Alvarado allegedly threw the flashlight into a nearby wooded area in an attempt to discard the evidence.
Alvarado is facing two counts of third-degree assault on a family or household member, one count of tampering with physical evidence for destroying or throwing away the flashlight, and one count of first-degree criminal mischief for property damage totaling $1,000 or less.
Alvarado underwent a video arraignment in criminal court on Tuesday morning. Then in an afternoon court appearance, a judge set his bail at $1,000 and issued a strict no-contact order. Under the court order, Alvarado is barred from having any direct or indirect contact with the victim or the victim’s immediate family, including via phone, computer, mail, or in person. His trial has been scheduled for September 2, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. in Little Rock District Court.
According to court records, Alvarado bonded out at around 10:00 a.m. August 5, 2026, with the help of Bobby Cox Bail Bonds.
The Shannon Hills Police Department, where Alvarado has served as an officer for approximately four years, confirmed they have taken custody of his service weapon, badge, and departmental identification, placing him on immediate administrative leave.
As part of the active investigation, Little Rock police detectives reviewed and included records of past domestic abuse complaints filed against Alvarado. The files show a pattern of behavior involving the same victim over several years:
On December 13, 2021, Little Rock police officers responded to a domestic disturbance. The responding officer, Officer Pool, reported that the victim accused Alvarado of grabbing her left wrist and pushing her to the ground, causing pain. The physical altercation was witnessed by two juveniles. While a no-contact order was initially put in place during the legal proceedings, court records show the victim appeared in court in May 2022 to request that the protection order be vacated. The case was ultimately resolved on October 27, 2023.
On December 6, 2023, police responded to another domestic situation involving the couple. Although a court-ordered Order of Protection was initially requested and issued, court records show that the petitioner—the same victim as in the current 2026 case—requested that the order be dismissed shortly thereafter.
Summary of current charges:
- Two counts of third-degree assault on a family or household member
- One count of tampering with physical evidence (destroying evidence)
- One count of first-degree criminal mischief (damages for collecting insurance of $1,000 or less)
Representatives for the justice system note that all charges and allegations contained in arrest reports and court filings are accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
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