A Christmas Eve verbal dispute led to a standoff with authorities, death threats and the arrest of a Newton County man, 25-year-old Gavin Amick of Western Grove.
Newton County Sheriff-elect Glenn Wheeler says deputies were initially called to Amicks home about 3:20 p.m. Monday after family members had tried to resolve a dispute with unknown parties over a potential theft.
The Harrison Daily Times reports family members tried to remove two small children from the situation before it escalated. However, Amick, apparently under the influence of methamphetamine and wearing a holster with a handgun in it, grabbed a 1-year-old child and threatened to kill the family member.
Amick and an unknown male subject then retreated into the house. The unknown male was later spotted fleeing the back of the residence.
Amick reportedly would not respond to deputies, leading to a standoff for over three hours.
A Boone County deputy was able to obtain a statement from a victim who had left the scene to take Amick’s wife to the emergency room, while other deputies secured warrants for Amick’s arrest and to search the residence.
Just before 7:00 Monday evening, Newton County authorities, along with Arkansas State Police troopers and a 14th Judicial Drug Task Force investigator, performed a tactical entry into the residence. Once inside, both Amick and the child were located. Amick was taken into custody and the child was returned safely to family members.
The search warrant yielded multiple firearms, marijuana, methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.
Wheeler says initially Amick was charged with first-degree terroristic threatening and endangering the welfare of a minor, with bond set at $20,000.
He says additional charges of possession of drug paraphernalia, simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms, refusal to submit to arrest and two counts of possession of a controlled substance were still pending Wednesday.
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