An Izard County man, familiar to law enforcement, landed himself behind bars after authorities were dispatched to the Violet Hill Store for a report of an altercation earlier this month.
When Deputy James Norton arrived, he requested additional units to the scene and notified Investigator Sean Tomlinson.
Officers spoke with a 16-year-old male victim who stated that Jerrell R. Hightower, 41, had physically assaulted him by choking and threatening him.
When Tomlinson arrived on the scene, he was informed that Hightower had “purposely rear-ended the victim’s vehicle while traveling along Highway 56.” Hightower then allegedly assaulted the victim by placing his hands around the victim’s neck restricting the teen’s ability to breathe.
While observing the vehicles involved, Tomlinson noted damage to the rear bumper of the victim’s vehicle as well as redness around his neck.
In a post-Miranda interview with Hightower, he claimed the victim had passed him near Franklin and “sideswiped” his vehicle.
Hightower stated the victim’s actions angered him and he attempted to convince the victim to pull over by striking the rear of the juvenile’s vehicle with his own. The victim them pulled over near the Violet Hill Post office where Hightower stated he gripped the victim’s shirt as he exited the vehicle.
When asked if he had placed his hands on the victim’s throat, Hightower stated he had only grabbed the shirt, however when asked, Hightower was unable to show any damage to his own vehicle where he claimed the victim had sideswiped him.
In speaking with the victim, officers learned the victim had passed Hightower in Franklin, however, the two vehicles never touched.
The victim then stated when approaching the elementary school in Violet Hill, he saw Hightower motion to him and then strike the rear of the victim’s vehicle.
Assuming he was just in an accident, the victim pulled over at which time Hightower exited his vehicle and grabbed the victim’s throat with both hands and began shaking him.
While being choked and shaken by Hightower, the victim stated he was only 16 years old and Hightower removed his hands.
Hightower was placed under arrest and taken to the Izard County Jail and charged with two counts of aggravated assault, a class D felony.
This is not the first time Hightower has been arrested or charged. In August of last year, Hightower was charged with Theft of Property, a class D felony and falsifying business records, a misdemeanor, by authorities in Baxter County.
In the Izard County case, bond for Hightower was set at $5,000 and he has since bonded out.
Lauren is a an award-winning journalist who decided after 10 years of newspaper experience to venture out. Hallmark Times was born.
