JONESBORO, Ark. — A Brookland man who was previously convicted of attempted murder against several law enforcement officers was back in court on Nov. 8, and it all stemmed from fighting with police.
On Friday, Phillip Dewayne Sutfin, 57, of Brookland, had bail set at $100,000 cash or surety on the petition to revoke his suspended sentence from his 2009 case, 16JCR-09-1070. As he was being wheeled out of court, he mumbled “fu*k you” to the judge, who did not acknowledge his comment.
Sutfin faces charges of second-degree battery on a law enforcement officer, a Class C felony, and second-degree terroristic threatening, a Class A misdemeanor, stemming from an incident on July 29, 2024. According to the probable cause affidavit for 16JCR-24-946, law enforcement was called to County Road 912 to a fight in progress. Three people were fighting when authorities arrived. Officers attempted to break up the fight but Sutfin would not comply and punched one of the officers in the face. The officer punched him back, and Sutfin ended up in handcuffs. The affidavit alleges he hurled verbal threats toward the officer after being cuffed.
Sutfin had a $35,000 cash or surety bond set in that case on July 31. The case is still open. He was returned to the custody of the Arkansas Department of Correction, who transported him to Craighead County jail on Nov. 5 for court.
In both cases, continuances have rescheduled the motion and plea days for January 22-23, 2025, and the jury trial/petition-to-revoke hearing days for February 3-14, 2025.
Sutfin had just recently been released from prison before his arrest in July. He was serving a 30-year sentence for attempted murder charges stemming from 2009. In that case, the probable cause affidavit says probation and parole officers went to County Road 912 just before 3 p.m. on Sept. 28, 2009. The officers had a warrant for Raymond Floyd, who was said to be at Sutfin’s residence. No one answered the door and officers entered. As they cleared the home, they entered a bathroom and reported Floyd with a shotgun, first pointed down, but then raised at one of the officers.
Officers retreated and heard gunfire as they exited. They staged outside of the home so backup could arrive. That’s when officers noticed the mobile home smoking and appearing to catch on fire. Smith and Floyd exited the home and ran through the bean field, with one armed with a shotgun and the other observed with “something long” in his hand. Officers heard numerous shots fired from Sutfin and Floyd.
Eventually, law enforcement engaged in a shootout, with a Jonesboro officer reporting seeing the shotgun recoil as two shots were heard. Both were reported to have fired shots at authorities. Officers returned fire, appearing to strike the younger suspect. Floyd was killed at the scene. Sutfin was taken into custody.
Sutfin pleaded guilty to three charges of criminal attempt to commit first-degree murder charges on May 13, 2010. He also pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by certain persons. A fifth charge, attempted first-degree murder, was dropped as part of the agreement. Sutfin was sentenced to 360 months in the Arkansas Department of Correction with 240 months suspended imposition of sentence. He became eligible for early release in 2018 and was approved at a hearing on March 11, 2024.
READ MORE: Sutfin PC 2009
On Sept. 11, 2024, prosecutors filed a petition to revoke Sutfin’s suspended sentence after his arrest in July. In addition to the battery arrest, the petition alleges an unpaid balance of $3,400 to the sheriff’s office for restitution, fines, and court costs.
Sutfin still has about 16 years left on his original prison sentence to serve, in addition to the potential for 20 or more years to be added from the suspended sentence.
SHARE THIS STORY WITH OTHERS:
Discover more from NEA Report
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Be the first to comment