Sheriff Shane Jones, in cooperation with Judge Clay McCall and the District Court Office, announces MISDEMEANOR WARRANT AMNESTY for the month of May. From 5/1/2023 through 5/31/2023, anyone with a Pope County MISDEMEANOR WARRANT may come into the Pope County Sheriff's Office Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. to have the MISDEMEANOR WARRANT served. No money will be collected at the time of service. This will be a serve and release process. A court date will be given at the time of service and the defendant will appear before Judge Clay McCall at a later date.
WARRANTS WILL NOT BE SERVED OVER THE PHONE!
On January 15, 2023 at approximately 4:12pm, Pope County Sheriff's Deputies received a call that a 35-year-old male had been attacked by multiple dogs while riding his bicycle in the area of Page Road and Alpine Meadows Road.
During the attack, the male was able to phone his wife to come pick him up. On her arrival, she stated that two of the dogs were still actively attacking him, and she had to assist him in getting away from them and into her car. On arrival of EMS it was determined that due to the severity of his injuries, he needed to be airlifted to Little Rock from the landing zone at the Crow Mountain Fire Department.
At this time, two individuals have been issued citations for violation of the Pope County Vicious Animal Ordinance, and four of the dogs reported to have been involved have been taken into custody after being voluntarily relinquished by the owner.
Sheriff Jones states that the safety of our citizens is paramount. All animals owners should be reminded that Pope County Ordinance No: 2015-O-50 provides criminal sanctions to owners who refuse to contain their dog that is vicious.
PRESS RELEASE
On Thursday, January 19, 2023, at approximately 10:00 a.m., Pope County Sheriff's Office Investigators took into custody Meredith "Lyndsey" Hill. Hill is an employee of the Pottsville School District and has been booked on charges of Sexual Assault 1st Degree with a Minor and is being held at the Pope County Detention Center.
Hill will appear before Circuit Judge James Dunham via Zoom for a bond hearing on Friday, January 20, 2023, at 9:00 a.m., pending the filing of formal charges by the 5th Judicial Prosecuting Attorney.
Sheriff Shane Jones stated no other comment will be made at this time, due to this being an open and ongoing investigation.
Fifty years ago, on November 1, 1972, Shannon Lee Collins was born in Batesville, AR. Shannon enjoyed a typical childhood, along with his siblings and extended family. He attended, and graduated from, Russellville High School in 1991 and later served his country as a soldier in the United States Army National Guard. Shannon was later honorably discharged from the military at the rank of Sergeant Major SGM after 24 years of service. The morning of March 12, 2021 is the last time Shannon Collins was seen; he allegedly walked away from his home in Pottsville, Arkansas. Nine months after that date Shannon was reported missing by his brother who lives out of state. His parents, brother and sister have all fully cooperated with authorities at the Pope County Sheriff's Office and anxiously wait as the days come and go with no sightings of or communication by Shannon. And today marks the second Veteran's Day without the son and brother they love and miss. If anyone has any information on the whereabouts of Shannon Collins, please contact the Pope County Sheriff's Office.
Sheriff Shane Jones has released the name of the suspect in Wednesday night's explosion in Atkins as 66-year-old Jesse Lee McCurley. McCurley remains in custody at the Pope County Detention Center on charges of Attempted Capital Murder, Aggravated Assault, Arson, and Cruelty to Animals.
On Wednesday, May 18, 2022 at approximately 8:30pm, Pope County Sheriff's Deputies responded to assist Atkins and Pottsville Police Department officers for a reported domestic disturbance with a possible armed suspect in the 1600 block of Avenue 3NE in Atkins.
On their arrival, officers located the residence and reported shots being fired from inside the home. After a short time, officers on scene placed a male suspect into custody who exited the front of the home. While placing the suspect into custody, an explosion from inside the residence knocked officers to the ground and a fire ignited inside the residence. Thankfully, all officers involved received only minor injuries from the blast.
The suspect is being held in the Pope County Detention Center awaiting arraignment and formal charges.
Sheriff Jones stated, "The teamwork and cooperation of all officers and departments involved resulted in a positive outcome for an incident that could have proven much more dangerous or deadly."
Press Release
Pope County Sheriff's Office Investigators continue to seek information regarding the death of Savana Kathleen Elliot, who was located in the Holla Bend Federal Wildlife Refuge on Saturday, October 23, 2021
On October 23, 2021 at approximately 5:30am, Yell County Sheriff's Office received a report of human remains located in Holla Bend Refuge. On their arrival, it was determined that the remains were located in the Pope County portion of the refuge, and Pope County Sheriff's Investigators responded.
If you have any information concerning Savana Elliot, you can call Investigators at 479-968-2558.
Pope County Sheriff's Office Tip Line: 479-968-6545
Press Release
The Pope County Sheriff's Office is still seeking any information on the Missing Military Veteran Shannon Collins. Collins mother, father, brother and sister are fully cooperating with the Pope County Sheriff's Office to find Shannon. Those family members have asked for the public's help in locating Shannon.
Tomorrow will mark one year since Shannon was last seen. According to his wife, Shannon walked away from their home in Pottsville in the morning hours of March 12th, 2021. Nine months later Shannon was reported missing by his brother who lives out of state. There have been no confirmed sightings of him since that date.
Due to suspicious circumstances surrounding this case, foul play has not yet been ruled out. If you have any information on the disappearance of Shannon Collins you are asked to contact the Pope County Sheriff's Office at 479-968-2558.
Sheriff Shane Jones has released the name of the victims of a fatal structure fire on March 8, 2022 in Pope County as 69-year-old Herman Ahrens and 66-year-old Kathryn Ahrens of Lamar (in Pope County).
On March 8, 2022, Pope County Sheriff's Deputies responded with rural fire departments to a structure fire in the 400 block of Diamond Place. Upon arrival, emergency personnel discovered a fully involved structure and were notified by family members on scene that 2 individuals were possibly inside the residence. After the responding fire departments extinguished the fire, it was discovered that the 2 individuals were deceased inside the home. Pope County Investigators responded to the scene to investigate the origin of the fire and notify family members.
Sheriff Jones would like to offer his condolences and prayers to the family and friends of Mr. and Mrs. Ahrens during this difficult time.