Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders issued a statement Monday that both the United States flag and Arkansas flag would be lowered to mourn the lives of the lost in Fordyce shooting. This will occur beginning at sunrise on Friday, June 28, 2024 and end at sunset on the same day. SHOOTING DETAILS & IMAGES […]
Benton man gets 40 years for child porn video
A Saline County man was recently convicted of child pornography charges according to Prosecuting Attorney Chris Walton. On Monday, June 10, 2024, Michael Vining, age 60, of Benton, entered a guilty plea for three counts of Possessing Child Pornography and one count of Video Voyeurism. He was sentenced to 40 years in the Arkansas […]
Defendant gets 12 years state prison for meth and mushrooms; Previous record cited
A Saline County jury found Christopher Evans, of Little Rock, guilty of possessing a methamphetamine pipe and a small baggie of psilocyn or magic mushrooms at a trial held on Thursday, May 30, 2024. Judge Brent Houston accepted the jury’s recommendation and sentenced Evans to 12 years in the Division of Correction. On July 17, […]
Former Bryant teacher gets 13 years after transporting minor for sexual activity
Heather Hare, 33, of Conway, was sentenced to serve the next 13 years in federal prison for transporting a minor across state lines for the purpose of unlawful sexual activity. Hare was sentenced on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, by United States District Judge Lee P. Rudofsky. MORE DETAILS BELOW The investigation into Hare revealed that […]
Saline County youth pastor accused of embezzling over $23K from church camp
A Saline County youth pastor, school staff member, and church camp treasurer is suspected of embezzling over $23,000 from that church camp, according to documents from the Bryant Police Department. On March 19, 2024, Bryant officers began to investigate Phillip Batchelor, age 45, of Benton, on allegations of embezzlement. The police report states that the […]
Saline County man charged with over 1200 counts of sexual images of children
A Bryant man faces hundreds of charges involving images of children that were of a sexual nature. On the morning of Monday, September 18, 2023, the Saline County Sheriff’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Taskforce, along with the Bryant Police Department arrested Richard Jason Wilson, age 56, of Bryant. The suspect is already a […]
Benton man wanted for attempted murder after allegedly fleeing scene
Police seek a Benton man who allegedly beat a victim to near death and fled. Benton Police Department responded to a residence on Line Back Dunn Road at approximately 7:30 a.m. Thursday in reference to an escaped victim who had been held hostage and severely beaten. Officers canvassed the area and determined the suspect, Gary […]
Next door neighbor makes bail after Sunday arrest; Woman said she found him in her bedroom overnight
A Benton man is out of jail on bond after being arrested early Sunday morning – accused of breaking into his next door neighbor’s house because he was attracted to her. The victim stated in the police report that she turned on a light to find her neighbor in her bedroom. According to the report, […]
Woman faces murder charge after Saline County man found dead
On March 5, 2023 Deputies with the Saline County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to John Hildon Drive in reference to a medical call. Upon the deputy’s arrival, it was determined there was a deceased male, later identified as Patrick Pasteka, age 61, with an apparent gunshot wound inside his residence. Detectives with the Criminal Investigations […]
Benton woman turns herself in for shooting of two at Tyndall
UPDATE OCT 13, 2022 A woman has turned herself in for the shooting of two adults at Tyndall Park in Benton. Benton Police Department responded to Tyndall Park on the evening of September 20th for reports of shots fired. This incident followed a disturbance at the east entrance of the park among several individuals. The […]