On June 29, 2023, Deputy Adam McGilton was patrolling highway 167 South of Hampton when he came across a red Ford Expedition traveling North towards Hampton. As Deputy McGilton entered the city limits, he observed the vehicle commit a traffic violation. He then attempted to initiate a traffic stop and the vehicle began to slow down and speed back up.
Once they reached the North city limits then vehicle began to pull over and Deputy McGilton began to follow them to the shoulder of the road and the vehicle sped back up into the driving lane. The suspect vehicle continued this behavior for several miles.
Deputy McGilton observed the passenger reaching under the seats. The vehicle then stopped at a drive way with a locked gate just North of Hampton and the back seat passenger exited the vehicle and began to flee wearing a backpack, jumping the locked gate and running into the woods. The suspect vehicle then began to flee again traveling North at speeds of 90 miles per hour plus.
Deputy McGilton radioed dispatch advising where the suspect ran into the woods and that he was back in pursuit with the suspect vehicle. While in pursuit with the suspect vehicle Deputy McGilton feared that the vehicle and its passengers were a danger to the public and in an attempt to stop the vehicle, he unholstered his duty weapon, rolled down his passenger window and Deputy McGilton pulled alongside of the vehicle and ordered the vehicle to stop.
The driver, who was identified as Darrius Henderson showed his hands and began to pull over. The vehicle came to a stop, Deputy McGilton exited his vehicle ordering the occupants to show their hands. The passenger was then identified as Zaviun Fox of Pine Bluff. At that time an Off-Duty Task Force Officer with the Drug Enforcement Administration stopped to assist Deputy McGilton with the detention of the suspects. After the two suspects were in custody, they were immediately transported to the Calhoun County Detention Center.
Sheriff Morris then arrived on scene and started establishing a parameter. Chief Deputy Foster was then contacted and advised of the incident and arrived on scene where the suspect had fled from the vehicle onto the private property. A short time later the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office, Thornton Marshal and Agents with the 13th Judicial Drug Task Force arrived on scene for assistance.
After establishing a full parameter, the Arkansas Department of Corrections was contacted for assistance with a tracking dog in attempts to locate the final suspect. After a short time later, the suspect was called for using Sheriff Morris’ PA system in his patrol vehicle. The suspect was advised to come out with his hands up and that tracking dogs were in route to search for him.
The suspect then gave up and began calling to Deputies and a short time later he was taken into custody without incident. The third suspect was identified as Demarquise Qualls of Pine Bluff. Qualls stated that he threw the back pack in the woods somewhere behind the location he was found. A short time later Deputies were able to locate the back pack and it was seized as evidence. During a search of the back pack Deputies located suspected marijuana, digital scales, a Smith and Wesson Shield 9mm with an extended magazine and a Ruger 5.7×28, both loaded. Henderson was booked on the following charges; Felony Fleeing, Possession of Firearm by Certain Persons, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Schedule VI Controlled Substance Less than 4 ounces and Obstruction of Governmental Operations. Fox was booked on the same charges. Qualls was booked on the following charges; Felony Fleeing, Fleeing on Foot, Possession of Schedule VI Controlled Substance Less than 4 ounces and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. On June 30, 2023 all three individuals were taken before Honorable Judge David Graham for First appearance. Henderson and Fox received a $50,000 bond and Qualls received a $10,000 bond.
