Threats and Extremism in Bentonville, Arkansas
A wave of threats and extreme behavior has been uncovered in Bentonville, Arkansas, involving multiple individuals with unrelated but alarming incidents.
Guilty Plea in Jan. 6 Insurrection-Related Charges
Nathan Earl Hughes recently pleaded guilty to charges linked to the January 6 insurrection. He was accused of civil disorder, impeding passage through the Capitol grounds or buildings, and assaulting, resisting, or impeding law enforcement officers. The charges details draw attention to his involvement in the dramatic events that unfolded at the U.S. Capitol in 2021.
Threats and Explosives Arrest
Threats, Explosives, and a Retired Law Enforcement Officer
Stephen Wayne Charles, a 57-year-old retired law enforcement officer and military veteran, was arrested following concerning phone calls and text messages. He was accused of making terrorist threats and possessing explosives at his residence. Authorities found numerous firearms, ammunition, and explosive devices at his home, which led to a significant response, including the involvement of a SWAT team.
Music and Extremism
Rap Lyrics Turn into Threats and Arrest
Reese Alexander Sullivan is a 20-year-old Bentonville man who was arrested for first-degree terroristic threatening. Sullivan’s rap music allegedly contained detailed threats of violence against schools, children, and specific groups of people. He maintained that these were just lyrics for his rap persona and that he did not intend to commit any violence.
Threat Against State Official
Threats Against Attorney General
Another recent incident involved an Arkansas man arrested for making a threat against Attorney General Tim Griffin. This arrest, made by state troopers, adds to the pattern of unsettling incidents in the Bentonville area.
