News and Events

For Immediate Release

Date: January 12, 2012

From: Sheriff James Singleton

Reference: Fine Payments, Failure to Comply with Court Order To Pay Fines (Attachment of State Income Tax Refunds)

The Hempstead County Sheriff's Office Warrants division has mailed out over 300 letters to individuals that have failed to pay    court ordered fines. The letters are advising persons that the Sheriff's office has notified the Revenue Division of the Department of Finance and Administration of such failure to pay. and if that person has a state income tax refund due them the refund will be applied towards the fine they owe.

If you owe a fine and want to avoid having your state income tax applied to pay the fines you can come to the sheriff's office between the hours of 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM and speak to the warrant officer and pay your fines.

A copy of the letter  can be found on our web-site www.hempsteadcountysheriff.com

For Immediate Release

Date: January 11, 2012

From: Sheriff James Singleton

Reference: New Mail Policy for Detention Center

 The Hempstead County Sheriff's Office and Detention Center is implementing a new policy concerning mail service for jail inmates.  Effective February 1, 2012 inmates of the Detention Center will only be allowed to send and receive post cards.  The receipt and mailing of envelopes for personal mailings will no longer be permitted.  All personal mail to and from relatives and friends will only be allowed by means of a post card.
 
There will be an exception for “legal mail”, which will be considered mail to and from the courts, attorneys, officers of the court, and government agencies.  For this exception, envelopes and papers will be allowed.  These envelopes must be clearly marked and identified as “legal mail” and must be addressed appropriately.  Incoming envelopes from those sources must be pre-printed with the return name and address of the court, attorney, officer of the court, or government agency. 

For Immediate Release

Date: December 11, 2012

From: Sheriff James Singleton

Reference: Coon Hunters Rescued at Bois D Arc

At approximately 8:30 PM Wednesday night, Two off duty Hempstead County Deputies Sgt. Josh Powell, and Deputy Charlie Featherston were at Bois D Arc lake setting and retrieving yo-yo's when they overheard someone calling for help near the area of Hatfield landing. They went to the area and as they got nearer they heard a mans voice calling for help the man told Sgt. Powell that he and his 13 year son had been coon hunting and had gotten lost and had gotten into a creek that was deeper than it appeared.

 Sgt. Powell called 911 Springhill Fire Department, Hempstead County Deputies, Arkansas Game and Fish Officer Jeff Neel, Pafford EMS, and other volunteers responded to the area. Sgt. Powell and Deputy Featherston attempted to reach the two by boat but were unable to due to the thick brush. They were however were able to put a Springhill fireman near enough that the fireman was able to reach the two and start a fire to warm them up until other firemen were able to reach them by paddling a small boat that they had to carry by hand some 200 yards before getting to the water.

The Firemen were able to bring the man and his 13 year old son back to the bank where they were treated by Pafford EMS. Both  the man and his son were cold and wet and appeared to be ok after being brought out.

I would like to thank the Springhill Fire Department, and all other volunteers who responded. and I also commend the two off Duty Deputies Sgt. Powell and Deputy Featherston for their quick action.

For Immediate Release

Date: January 12, 2012

From: Sheriff James Singleton

Reference: Drug Arrest

On January 12, 2012 at approximately 4:00 PM, Deputies arrested 33 year old Terry Joshua Smith of Hope for two counts of delivery of controlled substance, after a undercover investigation conducted by the Hempstead County Sheriff's Office and the South  Central Drug Task Force. During his arrest a substance believed to be Methamphemine, and a green vegetable material believed to be marijuana and several unused needles were found in his vehicle. Smith will also face Possession Charges for the substances found and Drug Paraphernalia charges for the needles. The vehicle Smith was driving  a 1996 Chevrolet pick up was seized due to it being used in the delivery of controlled substances. Smith was taken to the Hempstead County Detention Center to await a first court appearance.

In a separate incident another person was also arrested for delivery of controlled substance as part of another investigation into the sale of controlled substance in Hempstead County.  Charles R. Hartley 38 of Hope, was arrested on a Delivery Of Controlled Substance Warrant which was the result of another undercover investigation. Hartley was transported to the Hempstead County Detention Center to await a first court appearance.

For Immediate Release

Date: January 12, 2012

From: Sheriff James Singleton

Reference: Arrest For Criminal Mischief & Possession Of Controlled Substance Methamphemine

Two persons have been arrested after an investigation into the damage to a tractor located at a deer camp located off highway 32, that occurred earlier this month. Deputies were called on January 6th of this year to the deer camp to investigate two males burning the coating off of copper wire. Further investigation found that parts to a tractor had been taken and the tires of the tractor had been cut.

Deputies were able to identify the two men as 27 year old Chad Eugene Askew , and 18 year old Alvin Lawon Phillips of Hope. Deputies obtained warrants for Criminal Mischief for the two and they were arrested January 10th transported to the Hempstead County Detention center to await a first court appearance. Phillips was also charged with Possession of Controlled Substance (Meth) when deputies discovered the substance on his person during his arrest.