Sheriff’s Weekly Report:
On February 26th at 11:45 p.m., while patrolling the area of U.S. Highway 65 and Farmer Street in Dumas, Deputy Reshawn Bledsoe initiated a traffic stop on a 2010 Maroon Chevrolet Equinox, driven by 37-year-old Chilesha Riney. Upon making contact with Riney, Deputy Bledsoe smelled an odor of intoxicants. He noticed Riney to have bloodshot and watery eyes. Riney admitted to having just come from a club, and said she had drank a beer, and mixed drink. After Deputy Bledsoe got Riney out of the vehicle to perform field sobriety tests, she became belligerent, and verbally combative. After refusing the tests, Riney was arrested. While Riney continued to be combative, she kicked a Dumas Police Officer in the chest, while trying to get Riney into Deputy Bledsoe’s car. Once at the jail Riney continued to curse the Officers in a belligerent manner, and at one point, struck Deputy Bledsoe. Riney refused to take the breath test at the Dumas Jail, and was charged with Driving While Intoxicated, and refusing to submit to a breath test. The case is under further review, as Riney is likely to face additional criminal charges.
On 2/27/2023 at 6:30 p.m. Deputy Bledsoe was patrolling the area of U.S. Highway 65 at Tillar, when He initiated a traffic stop on a 2008 Blue Dodge Charger, driven by 18 year old Michael Coleman of McGehee. While conducting a probable cause search of the vehicle, Deputy Bledsoe discovered a handgun under the driver’s seat. Upon running the firearm through the database, it was discovered that the firearm was reported stolen from Little Rock. Coleman was placed under arrest and transported to the McGehee City Jail, where he was charged with theft by receiving.
On 2/27/2023 at 7:50 p.m., Sheriff Mitch Grant, Chief Deputy Jonathan Byrd and Deputy Reshawn Bledsoe responded to a “shots fired” call in Dumas, to assist Dumas City Officers. It was discovered that an occupied home on Wolf Street was struck with several rounds of gunfire. The suspects were described as two black males, wearing all black clothing. No suspects were immediately located. The case is under further investigation by the Dumas Police Department.
On 3/5/2023 at 1:00 a.m. while patrolling the area of U.S. Highway 65 in Dumas, Deputy Wayna Green initiated a traffic stop on a 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe, driven by 31 year old LaMarcus Jacob of Indianola Mississippi. Upon making contact with the driver, Deputy Green smelled an odor of intoxicates. After getting Jacob out of the car and attempting to perform field sobriety tests, Jacob refused. He was placed under arrest and transported to the Dumas City Jail, where he was charged with Driving While Intoxicated, No Driver’s License and No Insurance.
During the month of February Deputies patrolled 18,350 miles, providing services to the citizens of Desha County. Deputies responded to 51 calls for service, investigated 5 motor vehicle crashes, opened 8 felony criminal cases, and 14 misdemeanor cases. Deputies participated in 4 community-oriented policing programs, issued 39 tickets, and gave 79 warnings. Deputies conducted 49 property checks and made 20 prisoner transports.
We encourage our County residents to remain vigilant, and if you see something suspicious, call the Desha County Sheriff’s Office.
