CLAY COUNTY, Ark. — Three people were turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement after a Thursday morning traffic stop during which two ran from officers, Clay County Sheriff Ronnie Cole said.
The incident began about 6:10 a.m. Sept. 24, when a deputy attempted to stop a vehicle on U.S. 49 at Hargraves Corner. The vehicle continued to a farm shop north of Hargraves Corner before stopping, according to Cole.
The driver provided a Guatemalan identification card when the deputy asked for a driver’s license. Cole said the deputy returned to his patrol vehicle and checked with ICE to determine whether the driver was wanted.
The deputy then approached the vehicle again and asked the two passengers for identification. A Rector police officer arrived to assist around that time.
Both passengers got out, and the front-seat passenger immediately pulled a mask over the lower part of his face, Cole said. Believing they were about to run, the deputy moved to detain that passenger, drew his Taser and ordered him to the ground. The Rector officer handcuffed him.
The driver ran west across U.S. 49 into a field, while the other passenger ran east, according to Cole. A Rector officer later found that passenger hiding in a ditch.
About 7:25 a.m., a resident reported seeing the remaining person walking along County Road 481. Officers went to the area and took him into custody, Cole said.
All three were taken to the Clay County Detention Center. ICE picked them up early Friday, Sept. 25, according to the sheriff.
Cole said all three were from Guatemala, were in the United States illegally, and were wanted by ICE. His statement did not identify them, specify any local charges or explain why ICE was seeking them.
Source: Statement from Clay County Sheriff Ronnie Cole.
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