PARAGOULD, Ark. — A man is accused of carrying a replica rifle while intoxicated near a highway and resisting arrest, according to a probable-cause affidavit.
The affidavit says a Paragould police officer patrolling Highway 412 East on Sept. 24 observed a man walking near the intersection of South Fifth Avenue and Highway 412 East, yelling and making erratic hand movements. When the officer stopped to check on the man, the affidavit says the officer saw what appeared to be an AR-15 tucked into the man’s shirt.
The man attempted to remove the object, the affidavit states, prompting the officer to draw his weapon and order him not to. The man complied and told officers the rifle was fake. Police said the item was a plastic AR-15 replica that the man told officers he was carrying for protection.
The man initially identified himself as Tyler Wayne James, but officers were unable to verify that name and later identified him as Tyler Benton, 24, the affidavit says. Benton was found to be on probation with absconder status, the affidavit states.
While speaking with officers, Benton was described as sweating, talking rapidly, and unable to stand still. He told officers he thought the date was Sept. 19 and said he believed the marijuana he had smoked might have been laced with fentanyl. Because of his “extremely intoxicated state,” his proximity to traffic, and the incident with the replica firearm, the affidavit says officers determined he was a danger to himself.
Officers placed Benton under arrest for public intoxication, the affidavit says. He resisted, pulled away, and refused to put his hands behind his back, and assisting officers had to gain control of his arms before he was handcuffed. Because he gave a false name and refused to comply with officers, Benton was also accused of obstructing governmental operations and refusal to submit to arrest.
While being transported to the Greene County Jail, Benton made statements threatening self-harm, which were relayed to jail staff, the affidavit says. The replica firearm was placed in an evidence locker at the police department.
Benton was booked into the Greene County Jail and is awaiting bond or his next court appearance.
All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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