Columbus
LATEST NEWS
Two Face Witness Tampering Charges in Murder Case
JONESBORO, Ark. – Two people already in jail now face additional legal hurdles after being accused of tampering with a witness in a murder case. Bennie Ross, 48, was already in Craighead County Detention Center awaiting trial for murder. Ross is accused of the murder of his wife, Susan Michelle Ross, on January 27, 2023. He has remained incarcerated since then on a $3 million cash/surety bond as he awaits trial.
Man accused of punching officer in face during fight
BROOKLAND, Ark. (KAIT) – A Brookland man is behind bars on a $35,000 cash/surety bond after police said he got into a fight with police, punching an officer in the face. Craighead County District Court Judge Tommy Fowler found probable cause on Wednesday, July 31, to charge 57-year-old Phillip Dewayne Sutfin with second-degree battery/injures police, fire, correctional employees (a class C felony) and second-degree terroristic threatening/threatens physical injury (a class A misdemeanor).
Crash claims life of Jonesboro man
JONESBORO — A Craighead County man died this week in a two-vehicle crash at Johnson Avenue and Hudson Drive, according to the Arkansas State Police. Paul Ishmuel, 79, of Jonesboro was killed in the crash, which happened around 2 p.m. July 30.
Murder suspect now facing witness tampering charge
JONESBORO — A man accused of killing his wife in 2023 appeared in court Wednesday after his arrest on suspicion of tampering with a witness in his upcoming murder case. Bennie Lewis Ross, 48, of Jonesboro was arrested Sunday after an investigation by Craighead County authorities. Ross was originally arrested in 2023 on suspicion of murder-1st degree and possession of firearm by certain persons in the death of his wife, Susan Ross.
Man accused of stealing, pawning $7,000+ worth of jewelry
JONESBORO, Ark. (KAIT) – A man faces charges after police said he pawned over $7,000 worth of jewelry he stole from a family member he was staying with. Craighead County District Court Judge Tommy Fowler found probable cause on Wednesday, July 31, to charge 29-year-old Justin Kace Matthews with theft greater than $5,000 but less than $25,000 from a building, a class C felony.
Police: Bank loses $25,000+ after man cashes fraudulent check
JONESBORO, Ark. (KAIT) - Police arrested a Jonesboro man accused of fraudulently cashing a check at a bank, causing it to lose over $25,000. Craighead County District Court Judge Tommy Fowler found probable cause on Wednesday, July 31, to charge 44-year-old Jerome Lemont Dale with theft of $25,000 or more (all others), a class B felony, and second-degree forgery, a class C felony.
Woman arrested in tampering, intimidation case
A Craighead County woman was being held this week in the Greene County jail after authorities said she harassed a witness in a court case. Amanda Platt, 44, of Jonesboro was arrested July 29 on suspicion of intimidating a witness, tampering and harassing communications after an investigation by Paragould police.
Man arrested in connection with inmate’s death
JONESBORO, Ark. (KAIT) - A Jonesboro man is accused in the death of a Craighead County inmate. On Friday, July 26, Craighead County District Court Judge David Boling found probable cause to charge 28-year-old Lacey Justin Barber with death by delivery and furnishing prohibited articles. Chief Deputy Justin Rolland told...
Police: 100+ grams of drugs, paraphernalia found in bust
JONESBORO, Ark. (KAIT) - Police arrested a Jonesboro man after they said they found him in possession of multiple drugs totaling over 100 grams, as well as drug paraphernalia. Craighead County District Court Judge David Boling found probable cause on Friday, July 26, to charge 33-year-old Joshua Walker with possession of meth or cocaine with the purpose to deliver greater than 10 grams but limited to 200 grams, possession of meth or cocaine with the purpose to deliver greater than two grams but limited to 10 grams, possession of Schedule I or II (not meth or cocaine) substances with the purpose to deliver, use of a communication device, possession of Schedule VI substances with the purpose to deliver, possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting arrest/refusal to submit/active or passive refusal, and fleeing.
It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency:
Our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. As a platform hosting over 100,000 pieces of content published daily, we cannot pre-vet content, but we strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation.