NORFORK, Ark. – A Baxter County man is accused of injuring an officer of the law during his arrest.
Chad Lee Merriman, 41, of Norfork, was arrested early Tuesday morning, June 27th at a residence in Norfork after deputies were called there. Merriman had outstanding arrest warrants and was violating an Order of Protection by being at the residence, the press release from Baxter County Sheriff John Montgomery said.
Deputies were dispatched to the residence on Major Street at approximately 2:39 AM after being notified of an open line 911 call from there. Recent calls from that address would indicate that Merriman was either at the residence or trying to make entry into the residence. Deputies have responded to this residence numerous times regarding Merriman violating a protection order, the release said.
Deputies arrived and found the suspect asleep. There were already outstanding warrants for Violating an Order of Protection and for Fleeing from previous incidents. Deputies made contact with Merriman and informed him he was under arrest but they said the suspect refused to comply with instructions and resisted the arrest. Deputies deployed pepper spray in an effort to take him into custody. While scuffling with deputies, Merriman grabbed the duty belt of one of the officers. He was eventually subdued and taken into custody.
One deputy was injured in the scuffle, sustaining a large cut to his neck.
After Merriman was arrested drug paraphernalia was found concealed on his person, including seven syringes and a spoon containing suspected methamphetamine residue. He is being held in the Detention Center in lieu of $25,000 bond on charges of:
- Battery in the Second Degree – Felony
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Felony
- Resisting Arrest – Misdemeanor
- Violating an Order of Protection – Misdemeanor
- Fleeing (3 counts) – Misdemeanors
Merriman is scheduled to appear in the Circuit Court to answer the charges from this incident on June 29th and will also appear on in District Court later on the misdemeanor warrants that were outstanding.
Records indicate that Merriman has been booked into the Baxter County Jail a total of 19 times since 1996 on various charges.
Press Release – Baxter County Sheriff
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