Arkansas State Police Rounding Up More Sexual Predators

It has been a busy week for Arkansas State Troopers through traffic stops, CID investigations, and assisting other agencies, ASP is rounding up accused sexual predators all over the state, including a rape suspect, child porn distributors, and even a small town Mayor.

Remember: All parties mentioned in the stories below are accused of these crimes, not convicted, and by law should be considered innocent until proven guilty.

September 6, 2024
Rape Suspect Arrested Following High-Speed Chase in Arkansas

MAUMELLE, Ark. – On September 4, 2024, Arkansas State Police (ASP) assisted the Conway Police Department (CPD) in pursuing a suspect accused of rape. Dan Joyce, 38, of Conway, was allegedly involved in a high-speed chase, driving a 2021 silver GMC Sierra at speeds of 120 mph on Interstate 40 eastbound. After refusing to stop, the vehicle was halted through a Tactical Vehicle Intervention (TVI) west of the exit ramp.

Joyce was arrested and transferred to the Faulkner County Detention Center, where he faces charges of Felony Rape and Fleeing. The investigation is ongoing, and Joyce is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

ASP Arrest Suspect - Canva

September 5, 2024
Mayor of Augusta, Arkansas, Arrested on Theft Charges

AUGUSTA, Ark. – Augusta Mayor Jeff Collins, 61, was arrested on September 5, 2024, following an investigation by the Arkansas State Police (ASP) Criminal Investigation Division (CID) into allegations of theft. The First Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney’s Office requested the investigation earlier this year, prompted by an audit of city funds from January 2020 to December 2022, which raised concerns.

Collins has been charged with Theft of Property, a Class A misdemeanor. He was booked into the Woodruff County Detention Center and released on his own recognizance. Collins is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court, with his first appearance scheduled for October 15, 2024.

Bull Shoals Man Accused of Online Child Exploitation

BULL SHOALS, Ark. – On September 5, 2024, Arkansas State Police (ASP) Special Agents arrested Kenzie Parnell, 63, of Bull Shoals, following an investigation into allegations of online child exploitation. According to investigators, Parnell engaged in explicit online conversations with a 16-year-old girl and solicited nude images over a two-month period. A tip from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) led to the investigation.

Parnell faces charges of Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material and Computer Exploitation of a Child. He was booked at the Marion County Detention Center, with bond set at $75,000. Parnell, like all accused individuals, is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.

ASP - Hope Hit n Run - Canva

September 4, 2024
Arkansas Men Accused of Possessing Child Sexual Abuse Material

HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK, Ark. – On August 29, 2024, John Earner, 33, of Hot Springs National Park, was arrested after Arkansas State Police (ASP) Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) agents executed a search warrant based on a cyber tip. Earner is accused of uploading Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) to an online hosting service. Investigators allege they discovered numerous illicit images and videos on Earner’s phone.

Earner was charged with 100 counts of Possession of CSAM and is being held at the Garland County Detention Center with bond set at $250,000. Earner is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

NASHVILLE, Ark. – Similarly, on August 27, 2024, ICAC agents arrested Camren Scott, 20, of Hope, after a search warrant in Nashville. Scott is accused of downloading, viewing, and uploading CSAM. He faces 100 counts of Possession of CSAM and was booked at the Howard County Detention Center with bond set at $20,000. Scott is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.

For more information, check out the Arkansas DPS Newsfeed.