Arkansas police chief accused of kidnapping and beating man he arrested

EUDORA, Ark. (TCD) -- A police chief is being charged with felony kidnapping for allegedly handcuffing a man who had previously caused a disturbance, beating him, then leaving him stranded on a road.

Arkansas State Police announced Eudora Police Chief Michael Pitts turned himself in to the Chicot County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday, Jan. 30, for his arrest on one count of kidnapping.

On Oct. 26, 2023, Pitts was called to a local gas station to "remove a man who was causing a disruption at the business." According to the probable cause affidavit, Pitts went to the gas station and arrested the man, John Hill Jr., for criminal trespass, public intoxication, and terroristic threatening. Pitts was getting ready to put him in his patrol vehicle but "faced an unforeseen challenge" because there was a car bumper in the back seat. Pitts reportedly took the bumper out, put Hill in, and attempted to fit the car part into the back, but it "became apparent that it would not fit."

Pitts released Hill even though there was another Eudora Police Department officer at the scene.

Hill reportedly told investigators that he was walking down the street when Pitts "intercepted" him. Pitts allegedly handcuffed Hill, put him in the patrol car, and drove him to another location. The affidavit alleges Pitts "conveyed to Mr. Hill his intent to physically assault him, stating that he was going to 'beat his a--.'"

When they arrived at County Road 86, Pitts allegedly "forcibly removed him from the patrol unit and subjected him to a brutal assault, resulting in significant injuries to his face and head."

After the purported beating, Pitts left Hill on the road and drove away.

Hill reportedly told investigators he had been holding onto a crack pipe but dropped it when Pitts hit him. Investigators later located the crack pipe in the same area.

Cellular data allegedly placed Pitts at the location where he reportedly assaulted Pitts. Surveillance footage reportedly showed Pitts driving a Dodge Charger near the Southern Sips Too grocery store. Hill said he left his hat in the vehicle, but on Oct. 27, he reportedly found it near the Southern Sips Too dumpster.

The 10th Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney’s Office reached out to the Arkansas State Police in November and asked the Special Investigations Unit to conduct a probe into Hill’s allegations.

Pitts has been chief of the Eudora Police Department since April 2022.

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