Perry County chief deputy accused of driving while intoxicated in Morrilton resigns after arrest

MORRILTON, Ark. – The chief deputy of the Perry County Sheriff’s Office has resigned and could be facing charges following a weekend arrest on suspicion of driving while intoxicated.

Officials with the Morrilton Police Department confirmed to FOX 16 News that 54-year-old Edwin Johnson was arrested during a traffic stop Friday around 11:45 p.m.

A report detailing the stop states that officers saw the truck being driven by Johnson crossing the fog line, then crossing the center line before jerking back to cross the fog line again.

The officer reported pulling the truck over and noted that there was an opened beer can in one cupholder in the front seat on the driver’s side as well as a second unopened can in the cupholder near the passenger side.

The officer said when he asked Johnson about the open can, Johnson said he was using it to spit in it. When questioned by the officer if he had been drinking, the report stated that Johnson said, “Well, I had about three, maybe four.”

The officer then had Johnson take a field sobriety test. The report noted that Johnson declined to take a breathalyzer test.

Chief Sonny Stover with the Morrilton Police Department said Johnson is the chief deputy with the Perry County Sheriff’s Office.

Stover also confirmed that Perry County Sheriff Ricky Don Jones was also in the vehicle with Johnson at the time of the traffic stop.

As of 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, there are no records filed in the Arkansas court system regarding formal charges filed against Johnson.

Officials with the Conway County Detention Center also confirmed that there were no records of Edwin Johnson being booked into the jail over the weekend.

A staff member at the Perry County Sheriff’s Office told FOX 16 News that Johnson resigned from his position with the agency Monday.

release regarding Johnson’s arrest and confirming his resignation.

On 10/11/24 Perry County Chief Deputy Edwin Johnson while off duty and in his personal vehicle was stopped by the Morrilton Police Department. The traffic stop ended with Chief Deputy Johnson being arrested for suspicion of DWI.

Chief Deputy Johnson has resigned from his position with the Perry County Sheriff’s Office.

Officials statement from Sheriff Ricky Don Jones, Perry County Sheriff’s Office

Nowhere in the statement was there any mention of Jones being in the vehicle with Johnson at the time of the arrest.

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