VIDEO: Trooper Slams Florida Man Face-First During I-55 Arrest

CRITTENDEN COUNTY, Ark. — Video obtained by NEA Report shows an Arkansas State Police trooper slamming a Florida man face-first into the ground, leaving his face bloodied, during a Sept. 24 arrest on Interstate 55.

The report identifies the driver as Taylor F. Smith, 40, of Lakeland, Florida, and the trooper as Billy Puckett. It lists drug allegations, resisting arrest, second-degree assault, possession of drug paraphernalia and speeding.

Puckett wrote that he was traveling north on I-55 near the 24-mile marker around 11:36 a.m. when a white Chevrolet Traverse approached from behind and passed his patrol vehicle at about 85 mph in a 75 mph zone. The vehicle then accelerated to about 90 mph as he tried to catch up, according to the narrative.

The trooper stopped the vehicle near the 26-mile marker. Smith said the SUV was a rental and provided insurance information for his personal vehicle, the report states.

Puckett reported that Smith had lowered all the vehicle’s windows and appeared nervous. The trooper wrote that he smelled marijuana near the rear passenger-side door as he returned to his patrol vehicle and again during subsequent trips past that window.

Asked about his travel plans, Smith said he was going to Missouri for a bluegrass concert. Puckett wrote that Smith also described electronic music and other events, leading the trooper to identify the event as a rave.

After asking Smith to step out, Puckett questioned him about the marijuana odor. Smith said he had marijuana in the vehicle and a Florida medical marijuana license, according to the report.

Smith offered to retrieve the marijuana, but Puckett told him the trooper would get it. Puckett wrote that Smith became emotional and asked whether he would be arrested, then began flailing his arms and appeared to panic as the trooper explained potential charges.

Puckett said he repeatedly directed Smith to sit on the patrol vehicle. When Smith did not comply, the trooper took hold of him and said he would place him in handcuffs, according to the narrative.

The trooper reported that Smith physically resisted. Puckett wrote that he forced Smith onto the patrol vehicle’s hood, notified dispatch that Smith was resisting arrest and continued trying to handcuff him.

The video shows Puckett slamming Smith face-first into the ground. Puckett’s report describes forcing Smith to the ground and alleges that Smith grabbed the trooper’s groin during the struggle.

Smith’s face was bloodied after the takedown. Puckett’s report describes scratches to Smith’s face and left knee and states that emergency medical personnel examined him at the scene and found no serious injuries.

After Smith was handcuffed and placed in the patrol vehicle, Puckett read him his rights and asked about suspected drugs in the SUV. Smith said he had about an ounce of marijuana and mushrooms, explaining that the mushrooms were why he had panicked, according to the report.

During a vehicle search, Trooper Eli Thomas found about an ounce of marijuana in dispensary jars inside a stapled-shut bag, along with about half a fluid ounce of brown liquid in a dropper bottle, Puckett wrote. The items were in a storage tote behind the driver’s seat.

The liquid produced a presumptive positive field-test result for LSD and methamphetamine, the report states. The report does not include a laboratory confirmation.

Puckett reported finding about 14 grams of mushrooms in a plastic bag inside Smith’s personal hygiene bag in the rear cargo area.

Smith was taken to the Crittenden County Detention Center. Puckett wrote that medical personnel were called again because the scratches on Smith’s face were bleeding and jail staff initially would not accept him. A jail nurse examined Smith and cleared him for admission, according to the report.

The report lists two counts of possession with purpose to deliver a Schedule I or II controlled substance, excluding methamphetamine, fentanyl, heroin or cocaine; possession with purpose to deliver a Schedule VI controlled substance, more than 14 grams but less than 4 ounces; possession of drug paraphernalia; resisting arrest; second-degree assault; and speeding 1 to 15 mph over the limit.

The following day, Smith pled guilty to misdemeanor possession, speeding, and resisting arrest. He was sentenced to 60 days in jail.