Former Bentonville fire captain pleads guilty to assaulting Asian man

Related video: Former Bentonville Fire Captain, involved in attack of Asian man, tells 911, ‘we got a life or death situation’

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — A former fire captain with the Bentonville Fire Department has pleaded guilty to assaulting an Asian man outside of Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort in Hot Springs in 2021.

Benjamin Snodgrass, 47, pleaded guilty to second-degree assault, disorderly conduct and public intoxication and was sentenced to a 150-day suspended imposition of sentence, according to a plea agreement filed on Monday.

He is also ordered to have no contact with the man involved in the incident.

A probable cause report said around 9:30 p.m. on March 13, 2021, an Asian man was walking outside of the casino when Snodgrass approached him.

The victim told police Snodgrass asked if he knew he was in America and started pushing him.

The victim called the Hot Springs Police Department after the fight. HSPD tried to talk to Snodgrass but he was not speaking in clear sentences.

Once officers arrived on the scene, the man had a red mark below his left eye, a ripped shirt and a scratch on his right knee.

Snodgrass was heard multiple times saying, “I don’t know guys, I’m hammered.” HSPD asked what happened between the two males and Snodgrass admitted he confronted the victim about not being American, but stated nothing happened.

Snodgrass was found with blood on his left earlobe, blood on his lips and both of his knuckles were red.

He was later arrested and taken to the Garland County Detention Center. 10 days after his arrest, he resigned as Bentonville Fire Captain after 12 years with the department.

Snodgrass’ attorney said in April 2021, the former fire captain was reportedly unknowingly drugged before the altercation.

A brief filed in the case in September 2021 said Snodgrass was “dosed with a hallucinogen,” and not in his right mind at the time of the altercation, which was captured on casino security camera, and was not responsible for the incident.

In October 2021, Snodgrass was found guilty and was sentenced to a total of 60 days in prison for charges related to the incident. However, in May 2022, he received a new trial after successfully appealing the guilty verdict.

The appeal filing was made “on the basis that said decision is and was both contrary to the law and the evidence.”

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