An Arkansas sheriff who previously told constituents he planned to lead ‘through responsible actions’ was arrested Saturday night on suspected possession of illegal drugs and firearms.
Johnson County Sheriff Jimmy Stephens, 57, was arrested by Arkansas State Police Saturday evening during a traffic stop and was found with a firearm and drugs, according to PIO Bill Sadler.
When asked for more information, Sadler told the Daily Mail ‘no further comment until his first hearing.’ The PIO initially told DailyMail.com it was a ‘handgun’ but later walked back him claim, saying it was a ‘firearm.’
Stephens was booked into the Crawford County Detention Center Saturday at 8.46pm on three complaints of possession of a controlled substance and one complaint of speeding, according to the Fort Smith Times.
Johnson County Sheriff Jimmy Stephens, 57, was arrested on suspicion of drug and firearm possession charges, according to officials
Stephens was booked into the Crawford County Detention Center Saturday
He was released on $25,000 bond Sunday, according to local officials. He’s next expected in court Monday.
The news may come as a shock to his constituents who know the Republican for his promises to lead ‘through responsible actions.’
In a post made in 2018 on his campaign’s Facebook page, Stephens listed out a series of promises to the people if they were to elect him as their sheriff.
‘I pledge to hold myself, as well as all employees, to the highest level of professional conduct and morality,’ he said at the time.
Stephens also said ahead of the election he believes ‘it is imperative that a proactive approach be taken when dealing with criminal behaviors.’
DailyMail.com reached out to the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office who said they have no statement at this time.
According to officials, Stephens was in possession of a firearm and drugs at the time of his arrest
Read Related Also: Plus-size Philadelphia drag queen, 25, DIES during her performance at bar
A flyer posted to his Facebook page in 2018 lays out the pledges he made to constituents before he was elected
The Republican, sixth from the left, promised to lead ‘through responsible actions’
Stephens was later elected as sheriff and then reelected in May.
During this year’s election, Stephens won over Johnson County with 62 percent.
Earlier this year, the sheriff also posted callouts on his law enforcement page, asking for volunteers for Red Ribbon Week 2022.
According to its website, the ‘Red Ribbon Week Campaign is the largest drug-abuse prevention campaign in the United States.’
DailyMail.com reached out to Stephens for comment, but efforts to reach him were unsuccessful.
Stephens, alongside his wife Traci, posted a callout twice to his Facebook followers asking for people to get involved in Red Ribbon Week, an anti-drug campaign
Johnson County is located about 40 minutes northeast of Fort Smith and has a population of roughly 25,000.
Crawford County, where Stephens was arrested, borders Oklahoma.
Officials have not released the city where the sheriff was taken into custody yet.
Stephens is the sheriff in Johnson County but was arrested by Arkansas State Police in Crawford County
