Charges filed against man accused of trying to kill district judge

HARRISBURG — A Poinsett County man faces six felonies including attempted capital murder on suspicion of trying to kill a district judge earlier this year.

According to court records, prosecutors filed charges Oct. 3 against Christopher A.

Ford, 35, of Harrisburg.

Ford was arrested Aug.

24 after an investigation by authorities.

In addition to attempted capital murder, other charges include terroristic act, possession of a firearm by certain persons, forgery-1st degree, terroristic threatening-1st degree, manufacture of a Schedule VI controlled substance greater than 14 grams but less than four ounces and misdemeanor cruelty to animals.

Poinsett County authorities said in August that the county’s E-911 center got a call from District Judge Ron Hunter around 8:30 p.m. Aug.

23. Hunter told authorities that an unidentified man was threatening him on his property.

Deputies went to Hunter’s home and could not find anyone. However, about an hour later, Hunter’s wife called 911 and said someone had fired shots at their house. “A deputy arrived shortly after the call, and while speaking with Judge Hunter, an unknown person began shooting at them. The deputy informed dispatch that shots had been fired,” Poinsett County deputies said in a media release. “As additional deputies arrived, the shooter redirected their fire toward the responding officers.”

No one was hurt but one of the judge’s mules was shot, officials said.

Deputies, along with Harrisburg and Jonesboro police, Craighead County deputies and Arkansas State Police searched the area using drones but could not find anyone.

The next day, Poinsett County deputies, along with Arkansas State Police and the FBI, served a search warrant on Daisy Road due to the case.

Ford was arrested after a search, Poinsett County Sheriff Kevin Molder said.

A $5 million bond was set for Ford in the case. ***

PARAGOULD — A $25,000 bond was set this week for a man arrested on suspicion of failure to comply with registration and reporting requirements for a sex offender.

Travis Mekan, 36, of Paragould was arrested Oct. 8 after an investigation by Paragould police. According to a probable cause affidavit, Mekan was listed as a sex offender and was required by law to comply with reporting requirements.

'Mekan was released from the Arkansas Department of Corrections on July 19, 2024, and failed to report to update his registration as required by law. Mekan was arrested on this date and made incriminating statements during a recorded Miranda interview,' police said in an affidavit.

Mekan was being held as of Wednesday in the Greene County jail awaiting his next court date in the case.