| The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office apprehended Gordon Pickens, a 43-year-old resident of Lincoln County, Arkansas, for violating Arkansas Code Annotated A.C.A. § 5-53-202(a)(1), which pertains to threatening a judicial official. Pickens is accused of posting a concerning message on Facebook, containing a threat against 11th Judicial District West-Second Division Circuit Judge Robert Wyatt. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office takes any threats against judicial officers of the courts extremely seriously. Sheriff Lafayette Woods, Jr. emphasizes the commitment of his office to address and investigate all such threats with the utmost urgency, utilizing every resource available to ensure the safety and security of our judicial officials. Sheriff Woods states, “Our duty is to protect and serve, and we will not tolerate any acts that undermine the safety of our judges and jurors. Threats against judicial officials will be met with swift and thorough investigations, and the responsible individuals will be held accountable for their actions.” In accordance with Senate Bill 89, also known as Act 576 of 2007, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office maintains a legal obligation to complete Arkansas Court Security Incident Reports in relation to these matters, which are submitted to the Administrative Office of the Courts, as mandated by Act 576. This process ensures that incidents involving threats against judicial officials are properly documented and addressed according to the law. Upon learning of the threats made by Pickens, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office initiated a comprehensive investigation led by the experienced criminal investigators of the Tri-County Drug Task Force. The investigation received valuable assistance from Captain Yohance Brunson of the Tri-County Drug Task Force, along with Captain John Bean and Sergeant Terry Wingard of the Criminal Investigation Division. Their collective efforts enabled the tracking of Pickens to an apartment in Benton, Arkansas. Subsequently, a surveillance team, working in collaboration with the Benton Police Department, observed Pickens leaving the apartment complex in a silver Jeep displaying fictitious license plates. With the assistance of Lieutenant Brian Bigelow, Sergeant Mason Curtis, and Detective Dustin from the Benton Police Department, a traffic stop was conducted on the Jeep near East and Sevier Street in Benton. Pickens, the sole occupant of the vehicle, was swiftly taken into custody without incident. At present, Pickens is being held at the W.C. “Dub” Adult Detention Center in Jefferson County on charges of Threatening a Judicial Official, a Class B Felony punishable by a term of imprisonment ranging from 5 to 20 years in the Arkansas Department of Correction and a fine of up to $15,000.00. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office would like to extend its sincere appreciation to the Benton Police Department for their invaluable assistance in this operation. The collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies exemplify our shared commitment to upholding the law and ensuring the safety of our community. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office encourages members of the public to report any suspicious or threatening activities that may pose a risk to our judicial officials or the community at large. We remain dedicated to maintaining a safe and secure environment for all residents of Jefferson County. | ||
