NEWPORT, Ark. — A Jackson County traffic stop escalated into an arrest after a pedestrian disputed an Arkansas State Police trooper’s account that he had walked in a traffic lane. The incident, which occurred on Sept. 22, 2026, was documented in a State Police report and seen in bystander video publicly released on Oct. 8.
The report identifies the pedestrian as John W. Winningham of Bradford and the trooper as Sgt. Robby Stewart. According to Stewart’s account, he responded at approximately 4 p.m. to Newport police radio traffic about a man walking near the roadway by an Ace Hardware store on Arkansas 367. Stewart wrote that he saw Winningham in a traffic lane, activated his patrol vehicle’s blue lights, and parked in a nearby lot.
After exiting his vehicle, Stewart said he instructed Winningham to stand in front of the patrol car and began explaining safety laws that prohibit walking in traffic lanes. Video captured at the scene shows Winningham disputing being in the lane, with his exchange appearing to frustrate the officer. Stewart’s report notes that he clarified to Winningham that being on the road's edge still qualified as a violation.
Stewart asked Winningham for identification, but according to the narrative, Winningham questioned the request. Stewart stated he repeated the demand three times, and when Winningham remained uncooperative, he moved to detain him for obstructing governmental operations. As Stewart approached, he reported that Winningham moved backward. Stewart wrote that he secured Winningham’s right wrist and pushed him toward the patrol car, instructing him to place his hands behind his back.
Winningham allegedly resisted, attempting to turn and pull away before being handcuffed. Stewart’s report states a subsequent search revealed no weapons or evidence in Winningham’s bags. During a pat-down, Stewart said he smelled alcohol on Winningham’s breath. Asked about drinking, Winningham reportedly admitted, “I had a pint.” The report adds that Winningham refused a preliminary breath test at the scene and again at the Jackson County Jail but submitted to an eye-movement sobriety test, which Stewart reported showing six of six possible impairment indicators.
Winningham was charged with obstructing a highway, obstructing governmental operations, resisting arrest, and public intoxication. The following morning, according to Stewart’s narrative, Winningham reached a negotiated guilty plea. The report does not specify which charges the plea covered or any sentencing details.
A Newport police officer also searched Winningham’s belongings as part of the investigation, finding no contraband or items of evidentiary value, Stewart noted.
The incident report contains a date discrepancy, listing Aug. 22 as the event date instead of the correct Sept. 22, but all other documented details align with the timeline. No further information was provided by authorities as of this report.