Paragould Woman Accused of Assaulting Officers, Medical Staff

PARAGOULD, Ark. — A Paragould woman was arrested Monday after police said she damaged property, assaulted multiple officers and medical personnel, and created multiple disturbances during her arrest and medical treatment.

Officers responded May 19 to a call about an unwanted person at a residence in the 100 block of North Fourth Avenue. According to a probable cause affidavit, officers contacted a man who said he wanted a woman, identified as Allison Sweaney, to leave the property.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Sweaney agreed to leave but allegedly walked to a neighbor’s home, picked up a decorative brick and threw it, breaking it in front of officers, the affidavit states. Police said the man requested to pursue charges, and officers attempted to arrest Sweaney on suspicion of criminal mischief.

During the arrest, Sweaney reportedly resisted and struck one officer in the face while injuring another officer’s leg, police said. Officers were able to complete the arrest and transported her to the Greene County Jail on North Rockingchair Road.

While in custody, Sweaney allegedly became hostile toward jail staff, resisted efforts to restrain her and began hitting her head against the ground, causing a significant cut to her forehead. Emergency medical services were called, and she was taken to Arkansas Methodist Medical Center for treatment.

At the hospital, police said Sweaney screamed profanities and homophobic slurs in front of patients, including children. During treatment, she allegedly spat in the face of a nurse and an officer and kicked another nurse in the chest, according to the affidavit.

After receiving medical attention, she was placed back in police custody, but during transport, she reportedly attempted to strangle herself with the seatbelt. Officers stopped to render aid and called EMS after she injured herself again, authorities said.

According to the affidavit, EMS sedated Sweaney before transporting her back to the hospital. Two EMS workers were allegedly spat on by Sweaney as they attempted to load her into an ambulance. She was taken back to AMMC, treated, and returned to jail without further incident, police said.

Sweaney now faces a list of charges.

• Second-degree battery, a Class D felony (three counts)
• Aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, a Class D felony
• Third-degree battery, a Class A misdemeanor (three counts)
• First-degree criminal mischief, a Class A misdemeanor
• Resisting arrest, a Class A misdemeanor
• Disorderly conduct, a Class C misdemeanor

Greene County District Court Judge Dan Stidham set bail at $50,000 cash-only, with conditions for a no-contact order, the defendant ordered not to possess weapons, and a requirement for an ankle monitor, if the defendant is released.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.