Law enforcement agencies conducted a multi-day operation in Sharp County aimed at ensuring sex offender compliance and addressing other criminal activity, resulting in multiple arrests.
The operation, dubbed “Operation Community Shield,” ran from September 29 to October 2 and involved several agencies, including the Sharp County Sheriff’s Office, Arkansas Division of Community Correction Sex Offender Services, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Ash Flat Police Department, Arkansas State Police Troop B, the ASP Internet Crimes Against Children division, Cave City Police Department, Cherokee Village Police Department, Evening Shade Police Department, Hardy Police Department, and Highland Police Department.
Investigators conducted digital examinations of more than 50 computers, cell phones, data storage devices, and tablets. Officials reported that they made contact with over 90% of registered sex offenders in Sharp County during the initiative.
The operation led to a series of arrests on both misdemeanor and felony charges. Those arrested included:
- Sandy D. Ashley, charged with tampering with evidence. - Matthew Baldridge, charged with failure to register as a sex offender. - Lucas Clute, charged with failure to register as a sex offender. - Mary Ann Collins, charged with possession of a controlled substance. - Jacky Lee Dalton Jr., charged with failure to register as a sex offender. - Jacob Malcom Gibson, charged with possession of an instrument of crime. - David Goldman, charged with failure to register as a sex offender. - Bo Eric Hargo, charged with failure to register as a sex offender and absconding. - Jeffery Dean King, charged with failure to register as a sex offender. - Alvin Moore, charged with failure to register as a sex offender. - Rosa Myers, charged with possession of drug paraphernalia. - Jimmy Joe Smith, charged with providing an incorrect address on his ID. - Reba Troop, charged with manufacturing a controlled substance. - Carl Dean Walls, charged with failure to register as a sex offender. - Jimmy Sterling Wyatt, charged with failure to register as a sex offender. - Christopher Reed Troop, charged with simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms, manufacturing a Schedule IV controlled substance, and possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance with intent to deliver. - Alexander Armstrong, charged with possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and failure to register as a sex offender.
According to authorities, Operation Community Shield was a coordinated success, highlighting the cooperation among multiple law enforcement agencies in ensuring compliance with sex offender registration laws and tackling other public safety concerns in the region.