Photo: Richard Joe Lee
A man wanted by the U.S. Marshals Service has been taken into custody in Stone County following a five-hour standoff with law enforcement.
Stone County Chief Deputy Dammon McGilton says on Wednesday morning around 6, members of the Stone County Sheriff’s Department, 16th Judicial District Drug Task Force, Mountain View Police Department and the Arkansas Department of Correction North Central K-9 Unit went to Ticer Lane in Fox to execute search and federal arrest warrants.
Officers were looking for 36-year-old Richard Joe Lee of Fox. Lee was wanted by the U.S. Marshals Service for violating conditions of federal probation. He was also wanted out of Johnson County for probation violations and absconding.
Upon arrival, officers made contact with a male and detained him. The male informed officers he had numerous firearms in his residence where Lee remained. He said Lee had been visiting for several days.
Due to Lee having an extensive criminal history and struggling with mental illness, officers decided to back out of the residence in an attempt to de-escalate the situation.
Lee reportedly barricaded himself in the residence, as numerous officers and other agencies responded to the scene.
McGilton and Officer Russell Gilbert, both trained in crisis intervention, began negotiations with Lee.
After five hours of negotiations, Lee was taken into custody without incident. The other male, not identified by law enforcement, was released at a later time.
Lee was turned over to the U.S. Marshals Service and transported to a holding facility. The incident is still under investigation.
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