Press Release

September 30th, 2024

            Newton County Sheriff Glenn Wheeler said on Saturday September 28th, his office was notified of a domestic dispute in which a man had allegedly threatened to kill a female and produced a gun. The female was able to get away and run to a neighboring house to call for help.

            When Law Enforcement arrived on scene, they could hear the man yelling and firing multiple rounds from a firearm. They went to the man's house and encountered James Harlan "Sonny" Kilgore, 54 of Shilo, in the front yard. At that point no firearm was seen, but Kilgore refused to comply with instructions, then threatened to kill the officers and ran into his house, barricading himself.

            The scene was secured and additional Law Enforcement officers responded. Officers on scene maintained occasional contact with the suspect as he would open the door and yell threats, occasionally stepping slightly onto the porch while shining a spotlight to try and blind and distract Law Enforcement.

            After a standoff, the suspect stepped onto the porch to yell at Law Enforcement Officers again and they were able to take action to take him into custody. During the encounter with Kilgore, he admitted to firing a firearm. It was determined that he was a felon and not allowed to possess firearms. Kilgore was transported to the Newton County Jail and authorities applied for and received a search warrant.

            During the execution of that search warrant, authorities found multiple loaded firearms, over 12 grams of methamphetamine - each approximate gram individually packaged - multiple pills, including Oxycodone not in a prescription bottle and miscellaneous drug paraphernalia.

            Kilgore was charged with Possession of Methamphetamine with the Intent to Deliver, Simultaneous Possession of Drugs and Firearms, Possession of Firearms by Certain Person (Felon), Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Substance (Oxycodone), First Degree Terroristic Threatening, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Fleeing on Foot and Resisting Arrest. A judge set his bond at $25,000.00.

            Newton County Sheriff's Office was assisted by the Jasper Police Department, the 14th Judicial District Drug Task Force, the Arkansas State Police and North Arkansas Regional Medical Center EMS.

 

END OF RELEASE