Sheriff: Leak of Confidential BOLO Hampered Fulton County Double Homicide Investigation; Reporter Responds

SALEM, Ark. — The investigation into the October 21, 2025, double homicide in Fulton County is active and ongoing.

The Fulton County Sheriff’s Office asked the Arkansas State Police (ASP) to investigate the deaths.

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All information will be released by the ASP Criminal Investigation Division when it is deemed appropriate.

Fulton County Sheriff Jacob “Jake” Smith released the following statement:

“As Sheriff of Fulton County, the health and safety of our citizens and this community are my top priority. I would like to address confusion surrounding information released during the early stages of October 21, 2025, double homicide in Fulton County.

Early in the investigation, a BOLO (be on the lookout) was issued through ACIC to law enforcement.

The BOLO, which contained highly sensitive and confidential investigative facts and information about a person of interest, was not authorized or intended for public release. Information from the BOLO was unlawfully released to a local media outlet, which published confidential information, directly hampering the investigation.

Law enforcement officials routinely limit the public release of information in ongoing investigations to preserve the integrity of cases, to prevent the destruction or concealment of evidence and to thwart subjects involved in investigations from eluding law enforcement.

I want to reassure the public that investigators with my office and Arkansas State Police agreed that there was no elevated risk to the public that would necessitate the public release of information about the person of interest in this case.

The investigation is active and ongoing. Information will be released by the Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division when it is deemed appropriate.

As your sheriff, my focus will remain on honoring Tonya and Ashley Stallings by doing what is necessary to provide answers to their family and bring their killer to justice.”

Spring River Chronicle’s Tammy L. Dunn Curtis responded with the following:

He is lying – officers in his own county and a city less than four miles from the murders had no clue until they read my report (Spring River Chronicle). I wonder how he would have liked to tell one of those officers their spouse was killed bc he had too much pride to put out basic information to protect officers and the public. He was NEVER asked to release anything but to confirm the murders and ask people to keep doors locked and provide the vehicle description given by the family so police would know what to look for. I am the one who published the story. Do you see a single thing here that says confidential or law enforcement only? These are screenshots of the BOLO? There are multiple officers who have contacted me as well as the public, thanking me for releasing it for their safety. The sheriff had nothing but a cell phone ping – this meant he knew where the phone was, only – nothing else. When the search warrant didn’t produce the suspect- he is now attempting to save face with public – blaming the media for a public post claiming it was for LE only. I have big shoulders and have done this job for 22 years now, these people and especially officers deserved better… even ones in his own county didn’t know about the murders a day after bodies were found. None of the officers I spoke to even got this BOLO. Which also proves it wasn’t sent to all LE. Attached is the information that Sheriff Smith is mad that I got and released. In its entirety. Doing my job even if he doesn’t. Responding only bc truth is far more important than lies.