By Ray King
A reported disturbance at a concert at the Pine Bluff Convention Center Saturday night resulted in the arrest of a Pine Bluff man accused of pushing and injuring an off-duty sheriff’s deputy who was working security.
Tri-County Drug Task Force Investigator Joseph O‘Neal reported that he and other deputies were working off-duty at the concert that Evester Gardner, 61, was attending.
Reading from a probable cause affidavit from O’Neal Deputy Prosecutor Beth Carson told the court what happened.
Carson said Gardner then walked toward the center employee and continued to threaten her and yell profanities.
Jefferson County District Judge Kim Bridgforth set a $15,000 bond for Gardner Monday after ruling prosecutors have probable cause to charge him with second-degree battery on a law enforcement officer.
In addition to the felony allegation, Gardner pleaded guilty to misdemeanor public intoxication and disorderly conduct.
